MANILA — Malacañang assured the public that proceeds from the auction of seven luxury vehicles owned by contractors Pacifico and Cezarah Discaya — estimated to be worth more than PhP103 million — will be remitted in full to the national treasury as part of the Marcos administration’s anti-corruption efforts.

“Bilang tugon sa utos ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na maibalik ang pera ng taumbayan mula sa mga maanomalyang flood control projects, sinimulan na kaninang umaga ang pag-auction sa pitong mamahaling sasakyan ng mga Discaya na nakumpiska sa Bureau of Customs (BOC),” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing in Malacañang.

Castro said the Bureau of Customs, led by Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno, assured that all proceeds from the auction will be immediately turned over to the national treasury. “Ibig sabihin, buong-buo na maibabalik ang pondo sa kaban ng bayan,” she added.

The auction, held at the South Harbor in Manila, demonstrated the President’s commitment to ensuring that illegal activities are not tolerated in government and that erring officials are held accountable, Castro said.

Citing the BOC’s statement, Castro noted that Thursday’s auction marked an initial step in recovering stolen government funds, adding that the agency is also looking into 14 construction companies.

“Mahigit tatlong buwan pa lang simula nang paimbestigahan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. ang isyu ng korapsyon, may nakikita nang resulta ang taumbayan,” she said. “Isa itong patunay sa seryosong paghahabol ng Pangulo sa mga iligal na gawain ng mga korap sa pamahalaan.”

The BOC seized the vehicles after finding irregularities in their importation and documentation. The Discayas were among the top contractors implicated in alleged corruption involving flood control projects.

Vehicles auctioned on Thursday included a Toyota Tundra (2022), Toyota Sequoia (2023), Bentley Bentayga (2022), Rolls-Royce Cullinan (2023), Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus (2019), Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG (2022), and Lincoln Navigator L (2021).