By Anna Leah Gonzales
MANILA – The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and the Bureau of Customs (BOC) have secured 19 vehicles linked to tax cases involving the Discaya couple.
In a statement on Wednesday, the BIR said 15 vehicles registered under Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya II and Cezarah Rowena “Sarah” Discaya were placed under constructive distraint, a measure that allows authorities to secure and preserve assets while tax-related matters remain under investigation.
Four other vehicles were subjected to constructive seizure in connection with an existing tax assessment against St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corporation, which is currently under collection proceedings.
“We are here to preserve assets and protect the government’s ability to collect taxes, while fully observing due process,” BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin Mendoza said.
He added that upon the vehicles’ release, the BIR promptly implemented appropriate remedies under the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC), in line with existing laws and regulations.
“These are administrative in nature and form part of ongoing tax investigation and collection proceedings,” Mendoza said.
In 2025, the BIR filed criminal tax cases before the Department of Justice against the Discayas over more than PHP7.18 billion in alleged tax liabilities. It also demanded payment from St. Gerrard Construction General Contractor & Development Corporation for a final deficiency tax liability exceeding PHP998 million.
The couple and their construction firms have also been linked to alleged irregularities in flood control projects worth billions of pesos. (PNA)
