GOVT. SEIZES 13 DISCAYA VEHICLES FOR SMUGGLING, FRAUD

THE government, thru the Bureau of Customs, has formally seized 13 out of the 30 luxury vehicles owned by the Discaya couple under its custody for violation of customs laws.

At a press conference at the BOC main office in Manila last October 1, Commissioner Ariel F. Nepomuceno said an WSD (Warrant of Seizure and Detention) was issued against the vehicles after their investigation showed 7 of the vehicles were smuggled into the country while 6 of them were found to have fraudulent certificates of payment (CPs).

Verification with the BOC Management Information Systems and Technology Group (MISTG) revealed that 7 of the 13 vehicles, namely:

Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Mercedes Benz AMG G63 AMG SUV, Mercedes Benz G 500, Lincoln Navigator 2021, and Bentley Bentayga, do not have import entries and lack or have fraudulent Certificates of Payment (CPs).

Meanwhile, the remaining 6 vehicles, namely Lincoln Navigator 2024, GMC Yukon Denali, Cadillac Escalade 2021, Maserati Levante Modena, GMC Yukon XL Denali, and Cadillac Escalade ESV, have import entries but lack or have fraudulent CPs.

Early last September, the BOC served a court-issued search warrant at a company of the Discayas in Pasig City in search of their vehicles on suspicion of smuggling and violation of customs laws (Pinoy Exposé, September 2, 2025).

The BOC initiative is part of a broader government investigation on the multi-billion flood control project scandal where the Discayas played a leading role as favored contractors

Out of the 80 vehicles registered under their names, nearly half of them are reportedly classified as ‘luxury vehicles.’

Commissioner Nepomuceno said the seized vehicles would be most likely auctioned in the near future while the remaining vehicles remain subject to transaction audit by the Post-Clearance Audit Group (PCAG) headed by Assistant Commissioner Atty. Vincent Maronilla.

Reshuffle hits Intel, Enforcement Groups

Meanwhile, field operatives from the Intelligence Group (IG) and the Enforcement Group (EG) are the next to be affected by the ongoing reshuffle of the BOC under Commissioner Nepomuceno.

In a series of ‘CPOs’ (Customs Personnel Order) approved by Department of Finance Secretary Ralph Recto, field chiefs and personnel from both groups stationed in the bureau’s 13 collection districts were either removed, transferred or promoted to align with Commissioner Nepomuceno’s vision of a more responsive, effective, and transparent work force at the frontline level.

Commissioner Nepomuceno initially reshuffled some of the district collectors since assuming the top Customs post last June 30.