The Bureau of Customs (BOC) announced the symbolic turnover ceremony to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr), of the proceeds from the public auction of luxury vehicles registered to the Discaya family and their companies, reaffirming the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability and the restitution of unlawfully-acquired assets for the benefit of the Filipino people.
BOC Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno said the bureau continues to reinforce strict enforcement of customs laws while promoting transparency in the disposition of seized goods.
Nepomuceno emphasized that the successful disposition of the seized vehicles demonstrates the bureau’s continuing commitment to enforcing customs laws while ensuring transparency in the handling of government assets.
“The successful auction and turnover of these proceeds demonstrate the Bureau of Customs’ resolve to enforce the law while ensuring that recovered assets are returned to the Filipino people and utilized to support national development,” he said.
According to BOC deputy chief of staff and spokesman Atty. Chris Noel Bendijo, the BOC confiscated the unlawfully imported luxury vehicles for violating the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA). A total of 13 high-value vehicles were seized, consisting of a 2022 Toyota Tundra, 2023 Toyota Sequoia, 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus, 2021 Lincoln Navigator L, 2022 Bentley Bentayga, 2024 Lincoln Navigator, 2022 GMC Yukon Denali, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, 2022 Maserati Levante Modena, 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali, and a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV.
Following the seizure, Bendijo said the BOC conducted a series of public auctions to ensure transparency and maximize the value recovered for the government. The first public auction was conducted on November 20, 2025, where a 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG was sold for P15,611,710, a 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus was likewise purchased for P15,500,000, and a 2021 Lincoln Navigator L was acquired for P7,100,000, generating a total of P38,211,710 in proceeds.
The second public auction took place on December 5, 2025 and during this auction, a 2022 Toyota Tundra was purchased for P3,480,000, while a 2023 Toyota Sequoia was sold for P6,000,000. The third public auction was conducted on February 11, 2026, where the 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan was successfully sold for P29,026,000 while the fourth public auction took place on February 25, 2026, where a 2024 Lincoln Navigator was purchased for P6,950,000, a 2022 Cadillac Escalade ESV was acquired for P6,623,000 and a 2022 Bentley Bentayga was sold for P12,178,174.15, generating a total of P25,751,174.15.
Bendijo said that to date, nine of the thirteen seized vehicles have been successfully sold through these public auctions, generating total proceeds amounting to P102,468,884.15. These funds will be formally turned over to the Bureau of the Treasury as part of the government’s efforts to ensure that confiscated assets are returned to the state and utilized for programs that benefit the Filipino people. Four vehicles remain unsold and may be offered in subsequent public auctions. These include the 2022 GMC Yukon Denali, the 2021 Cadillac Escalade, the 2022 Maserati Levante Modena, and the 2022 GMC Yukon XL Denali.
The symbolic turnover ceremony highlights the agency’s sustained commitment to its flagship Integrity, Accountability and Modernization (IAM) initiatives and underscores the BOC’s broader mission of strengthening revenue generation, protecting the country’s borders, and upholding the rule of law through effective and transparent customs administration.
The Bureau of the Treasury, represented by Atty. Jerekko Cadorna, on behalf of National Treasurer Sharon Almanza, said the symbolic turnover represents the victory of the rule of law and highlights the strong collaboration between government agencies.
“The successful auction of the nine motor vehicles linked to the Discaya case reflects the culmination of careful legal and administrative processes. Through the disposition of these forfeited assets, resources once tied to a legal dispute are now converted into public funds that will directly support national priorities,” he said.
Meanwhile, the BTr commended the Bureau of Customs, stating, “We commend the Bureau of Customs for its diligence and resolve in bringing this matter to its proper conclusion. Every peso remitted to the National Treasury strengthens the government’s capacity to fund vital projects, deliver essential social services, and maintain fiscal stability as we continue to grow the national economy.
