3 Discaya luxury vehicles sold for P25 million

National

THE Bureau of Customs (BOC) raised more than P25 million following the public auction of three luxury vehicles previously owned by controversial contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya.

The seized 2024 Lincoln Navigator, a 2022 Cadillac Escalade, and a 2022 Bentley Bentayga from the Discaya couple raised P25.7 million, a report by Philstar said.

Pio Velasco of Igorot Stone Kingdom Inc. secured the Cadillac Escalade with a bid of P6,623,000, surpassing the floor price of 6,622,756.38.

Velasco acquired the Rolls Royce Cullinan prior from the same BOC auction at the price of P29,026,000.00. This went controversial after Sarah flexed about its signature built-in umbrellas.

Velasco, CEO of the popular Baguio theme park, views his ownership with dual purpose: a "status symbol" and aiding the government in recovering the Discayas' alleged ill-gotten wealth. He added his intention to put up a car museum in Benguet to showcase the high-end luxury cars.

"It is one way to invest, to lure tourists to come to the

Cordilleras," Velasco said in the report.

The Lincoln Navigator worth P6.9 million was bought by Cantinetta Espresso Concepts while Bentley was sold for P12.1 million to TDY Consumer Goods Trading.

The BOC confirmed that the P25,771,374.15 will be remitted to the national treasury after three out of 12 vehicles are successfully disposed of.

Chris Noel Bendjio, BOC chief deputy of staff, said that the three buyers have already settled their payment in full, the vehicles' registration papers are yet to be processed by the Land Transportation Office (LTO).

Authorities are currently looking into the direct offers for the remaining vehicles as cars are faced with threats of depreciation.

The next tentative date for the next public auction will be on March 17, 2026.(Rocelle S. Caparro, BiPSU Comm Intern)