PCAB revokes licenses of nine Discaya-linked construction firms

The Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) has revoked the licenses of nine construction companies linked to contractor Sarah Discaya after she admitted that the firms had been bidding against each other for lucrative government contracts.

- DEXTER BARRO II

In a board resolution made public on Wednesday, Sept. 3, PCAB cited Discaya's admission during the recent hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee as the basis for its decision.

Discaya, an invited resource person during a Senate probe into anomalous flood control projects, revealed that she has ownership and control over nine construction firms that directly engaged with the government.

The construction executive, who rose to popularity after running for and later losing the Pasig City mayoral race, told lawmakers that these firms had participated in bidding for the same infrastructure projects.

PCAB, which is also embroiled in controversy, said Discaya's statement raises the presence of collusion in what should be a competitive, but fair, bidding process.

"Employing schemes which stifle or suppress the outcome of the procurement activity in violation of licensing and procurement laws," said PCAB.