MANILA — The Office of the Ombudsman said the fear expressed by contractor Sarah Discaya is a consequence of her own decisions, following her surrender to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, in a statement on Thursday, December 11, said Discaya should have considered the welfare of millions of Filipinos put at risk when project funds were allegedly diverted.

“May karapatan siyang sa due process — pero hindi puwedeng gawing palusot ang takot para takasan ang pananagutan. The consequences are here because the choices were hers,” Clavano said.

Discaya, who owns Alpha and Omega General Contractor & Development Corporation with her husband Pacifico, went to the NBI on December 9 after President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. announced that an arrest warrant would be issued against her this week. She said her appearance was for “safekeeping” and not a form of surrender.

The couple, along with nine others, including 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 surrendered on December 8, handing over her passport to the Pasig City Police, while the Discayas had initially expressed intent to become state witnesses. However, the Office of the Ombudsman ruled they were ineligible due to their deep involvement in the alleged anomalies.

Clavano also noted that the case is non-bailable if probable cause is established.