FOLLOWING statements by prisoners’ rights group Kapatid casting doubt on the alleged special privileges being granted to former Bamban, Tarlac mayor Alice Guo at the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW), netizens and various sectors have also criticized the alleged VIP treatment being accorded to controversial public works contractor Sarah Discaya.
Discaya appeared at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday but clarified that her appearance should not be considered an act of surrender, saying it was a step taken to ensure her safety.
“This is not really a ‘surrender.’ It’s more of safekeeping… Only those who are guilty run away,” she said.
Discaya added that she felt some relief after being placed under NBI custody. “At least I’m somewhere safe… Here, somehow, I feel at ease,” she said.
However, several civic and religious groups expressed disappointment and criticized NBI officials after seeing Discaya in a television interview, allegedly already under custody but staying in an air-conditioned room. “Is it because she is a big-time contractor that she is being given such special care?” they asked.
Discaya’s appearance at the NBI is linked to charges of malversation and falsification of public documents over an alleged P96.5-million “ghost project” in Davao Occidental filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.
In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN, Discaya said she would stay only “overnight” at the NBI following her appearance on December 9. However, concerned citizens and civil society leaders claimed that she has allegedly been staying at the NBI headquarters in Pasay City for five days, accompanied by an “alalay” (assistant).
During the interview, Discaya showed a suitcase containing her clothes, slippers, and several pillows laid out on a sofa. She also said she has been in good condition and has been eating well since being placed under NBI custody.
While officials have repeatedly denied reports of special treatment for Guo and Discaya, Kapatid maintained that numerous past incidents—as well as existing systemic practices—justify public skepticism.
“VIP treatment is nothing new. It is part of a long-standing culture of inequality that continues to persist in our detention facilities. Until these issues are addressed with transparency and accountability, public concern will remain,” said Kapatid spokesperson Fides Lim.
The group added that allegations of alleged VIP treatment being afforded to Guo at the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor)-run CIW are “nothing new.”
