MANILA — Contractor Sarah Discaya surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in Pasay City on Tuesday, December 9, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s announcement that an arrest warrant against her is expected this week.

Discaya reportedly reached out to the NBI about her surrender and is currently waiting for the issuance of the arrest warrant. President Marcos had earlier said, “We expect the warrant for the arrest of Sarah Discaya this week, and it will not take long before her arrest.”

The surrender comes amid allegations that Discaya and her husband Pacifico, owners of Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation, were involved in anomalies in the country’s flood control projects. Their firm is among 15 contractors that secured 20% of flood control projects nationwide.

Discaya and nine others, including Pacifico’s niece Ma. Roma Anegline Rimando of St. Timothy Construction, face complaints for alleged malversation of public funds and violations of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, in connection with a P96.5-million ghost flood control project in Barangay Culaman, Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental.

Rimando also surrendered, giving her passport to the Pasig City Police on Monday night, December 8, according to lawyer Cornelio Samaniego, who represents both Discaya and Rimando.

Earlier, the Discayas had expressed intent to be state witnesses in the investigation, but the Office of the Ombudsman ruled they had no chance due to their deep involvement in the anomalies. The couple eventually stopped coordinating with the Department of Justice.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano noted that the malversation case is non-bailable if probable cause is established by the court. As of now, no warrant of arrest has yet been issued against Discaya or Rimando.

Eight personnel from the Department of Public Works and Highways in Davao Occidental have also expressed intent to surrender to the NBI in connection with the same probe.