MANILA, Philippines — The contractor couple Curlee and Sarah Discaya may soon be the next figures charged in connection with the alleged multi-billion-peso irregularities in government flood-control projects, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced on Wednesday.

Speaking at a press briefing on November 19, Remulla revealed that several of the Discaya-related cases have already moved forward in the legal process. “I think the Discaya cases might be next,” he said. “The preliminary investigation for some of the other Discaya cases is finished. They’ve been submitted for resolution.”

Remulla noted that at least three cases are nearing completion, out of a total of nine filed against the Discayas. He added that the possible charges — which could include malversation or plunder — would depend on the amounts involved. “Maybe early next week,” he said, though he added that a Friday release is still possible. “It’s already for resolution.”

The update comes a day after the Ombudsman filed malversation and graft cases against former congressman Zaldy Co, several ex-officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), and officers of Sunwest Construction and Development Corp.

When asked why malversation charges were prioritized over plunder, Remulla explained that malversation is more straightforward to prosecute. “Malversation is easier to prove compared to plunder, which has so much jurisprudence that it often negates attempts to convict,” he said.

The Discayas are linked to a sweeping network of infrastructure contracts awarded between 2022 and 2024. Companies associated with their family reportedly secured 421 government projects worth ₱31.04 billion, most involving flood-control works. Firms directly tied to the couple handled 345 of these contracts worth ₱25.2 billion, while additional affiliated companies accounted for the remainder — pushing the total beyond ₱31 billion.

As the Ombudsman continues to file cases linked to anomalous projects nationwide, all eyes are now on the Discaya cases as the next possible major development.