Bureau of Customs to Probe Discaya Imported Luxury Car Collection

The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced on Tuesday that it would investigate the payment of duties and taxes for the luxury car collection owned by government contractors Sarah and Curlee Discaya. The couple, who reportedly secured ₱31.5 billion worth of flood control projects, admitted in a viral vlog that they own at least 40 luxury cars, sparking public scrutiny.

According to BOC Spokesperson Vincent Philip Maronilla, the agency is obligated to determine whether the proper duties and taxes were declared and paid for the vehicles.

“Given the same number of cars and the type of luxury vehicles, there is in our previous experience a reason for us to at least inquire into the correctness of the declaration and payment of duties and taxes, as well as compliance…whether customs rules were applied to it,” Maronilla told ANC in an interview.

Possible Issues With Declarations and Compliance

Maronilla explained that the BOC’s focus will not be limited to the cars alone. The agency will also look into the Discayas’ companies to determine whether they were accredited brokers and review all relevant importation records.

“It’s one of the first instances that we have encountered this many cars being flaunted or claimed to be owned by one family, so yes, it’s a red flag in so far as the sources of these and the manner by which they are imported,” Maronilla noted.

He added that if there were any wrongful declarations or deficiencies in tax payments, the BOC would be obligated to initiate a fraud investigation.

Limits on Customs Oversight

While the BOC can review importation records, Maronilla clarified that the agency does not have the authority to inspect private residences. This limitation means officials cannot personally verify whether the vehicles in the vlog match import records. Instead, the agency plans to collaborate with the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to gather relevant details.

Through the LTO, the BOC will obtain the vehicles’ certificates of payment and cross-check them against customs documents to ensure that the correct taxes were remitted.

Beyond Cars: Imported Artworks Also Under Scrutiny

The luxury cars were not the only items flaunted in the Discayas’ viral vlog. Expensive artworks and other imported goods were also featured, which Maronilla said could fall under the scope of the investigation.

“The agency will also look into other imported items, including artworks, shown in the vlog with the Discaya couple,” he confirmed.

This expanded inquiry underscores the BOC’s concern that the couple’s displays of wealth may reflect broader patterns of questionable importation practices.

Public Scrutiny and Government Accountability

The Discaya vlog has stirred debate on social media, not only because of the lavish display of wealth but also because of the couple’s connection to massive government contracts. With billions of pesos in public funds awarded to their companies for flood control projects, questions have surfaced regarding both the source of their wealth and the transparency of the contracting process.

The BOC’s investigation represents one of the first official steps toward determining whether the couple’s luxury assets were acquired and imported in compliance with Philippine laws.

What Comes Next

While the BOC has yet to provide a timeline for the completion of its probe, Maronilla emphasized that the agency is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability. Should evidence of fraud or tax deficiencies be discovered, appropriate charges may follow.

For now, the case highlights the intersection of wealth, government contracting, and accountability in the Philippines. Whether the Discayas’ luxury cars and imported goods were obtained legitimately will depend on the results of the BOC’s investigation and its coordination with the LTO.

Until then, the viral vlog remains both a public spectacle and a potential legal liability for the couple at the center of the controversy.