The Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to locate the missing luxury vehicles linked to the Discaya family after discovering only two of the 12 targeted cars during a raid on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at the Pasig City compound of St. Gerrard Construction—a firm owned by controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya.
The operation was part of an ongoing investigation into alleged importation irregularities involving the family’s fleet of high-end vehicles.
The raid followed a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing where Sarah Discaya admitted that her family owned 28 luxury cars.
However, the BOC’s search warrant covered only a dozen vehicles for which no import records could be found.
In a statement after the raid, Customs Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno underscored the agency’s commitment to resolving the case.
“The Bureau of Customs takes the issue of the missing luxury cars of Discaya with the utmost seriousness,” he said.
“We will ensure that these vehicles are located without delay, and if discrepancies are uncovered, all taxes and duties will be collected in full.”
Nepomuceno also issued a stern warning: anyone found “hiding or abetting the concealment of these cars will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
He added that the BOC is committed to protecting government revenues and upholding public trust.
The operation comes as the BOC is monitoring and supporting an ongoing investigation by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, chaired by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
That probe focuses on alleged anomalous flood control projects that first raised issues regarding the luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya family.
During the hearing, senators questioned how the couple, whose firms have secured billions of pesos in government contracts, could amass such a car collection, which includes brands like Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Maybach.
The BOC stated that any irregularity in the vehicles’ importation, such as misdeclaration or nonpayment of duties and taxes, would be subject to enforcement actions under the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA).
While unable to disclose details of the ongoing investigation, the BOC assured the public it remains firm in enforcing the law with “fairness, transparency and due process.” (Derco Rosal)
