Mc Richard Paglicawan
Contractor Sarah Discaya emotionally expressed her fear of being separated from her children should she be jailed over her alleged involvement in an anomalous flood control project in Davao Occidental.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News reporter Zyann Ambrosio on Wednesday, December 10, Discaya said she could not simply dismiss the possibility of going to jail.
“Syempre you don’t just think of ‘ay, hindi ko ako makukulong kasi nadamay lang ako,’” Discaya said. “Iniisip ko, long term din, baka mamaya makulong talaga ako,” she added.
Discaya explained that her greatest fear stems from the condition of her children, whom she said all have Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
“Ayoko. Ayoko sana. Kasi as everyone knows, my kids they all have ADHD, husband ko nasa Senate tapos ako makukulong. Ang hirap,” she said emotionally. “Ang hirap, hindi ko alam kung paano ‘yong mga anak ko. Hindi ko talaga alam,” she continued.
According to Discaya, everything she and her husband do is for the sake of their children, which is why the thought of being separated from them deeply troubles her.
“Sobrang concern ko ang mga anak ko kasi kung ano man [ang] ginagawa namin [ay] para sa mga anak namin tapos biglang ihihiwalay ako sa mga anak ko,” she said. “‘Yon ‘yong pinakamahirap, na mahiwalay sa mga anak,” Discaya added.
Discaya earlier surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. disclosed that a warrant of arrest had been issued against her on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman responded to Discaya’s statements regarding her voluntary surrender. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said her fear cannot excuse accountability.
“Maliwanag ito: ang takot ni Ms. Discaya ngayon ay bunga ng mga kilos na siya mismo ang gumawa. Sana’y naisip niya ang kinabukasan ng milyon-milyong Pilipinong inilagay sa peligro nang ilihis ang pondo para sa mga proyektong dapat nagpoprotekta sa kanila laban sa baha,” Clavano said in a statement on Thursday, December 11, 2025.
Clavano added that while Discaya’s fear is acknowledged, it cannot be used as a reason to evade responsibility under the law.
