Meet Sarah Descaya: The Woman Behind the Controversies and Corporate Empire

The name Sarah Descaya, or Sarah Rowena Cruz Descaya in full, has been making headlines recently, stirring up heated discussions and investigations. Her entry into the political arena as a candidate in the 2025 midterm elections caught the public’s attention, but it is not just her political ambitions that are being scrutinized—it is also the source of her family’s wealth and their business dealings.

Is the Descaya family’s rise a classic “rags to riches” story, or is there more to the billionaire image they project? Here’s an in-depth look into Sarah Descaya’s life, her business empire, and the controversies surrounding her.

Humble Beginnings: From Overseas Filipino Workers’ Daughter to Businesswoman

Sarah Descaya was born on November 10, 1976, in London. Contrary to what some might assume, she does not come from a royal or aristocratic lineage. Instead, her parents worked abroad as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). Her mother served as a chambermaid while her father worked as a waiter—both employed at the same hotel in London.

Sarah completed her primary and secondary education in London, attending St. Lawrence with St. Paul’s Catholic School. She holds dual citizenship, possessing both British and Philippine passports.

After finishing her basic education in London, Sarah returned to the Philippines to pursue higher education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Computer Management from Pasig Catholic College. Not stopping there, she continued her studies at La Consolacion College, where she obtained another Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, this time majoring in Management of Service Institutions.

During her college years, Sarah met her husband, Curly Descaya. At that time, she was a regular minimum-wage worker doing an on-the-job training internship. Her career began modestly as a receptionist, and she gradually climbed the corporate ladder, moving through roles such as communication specialist, marketing specialist, recruitment specialist, and liaison officer.

Sarah also worked as an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher for a year, teaching multilingual students—a role that likely helped shape her communication and leadership skills.

Business Success: Building a Construction Empire

Sarah’s career progression continued as she eventually became Chief Financial Officer and Marketing Manager for several construction firms. Alongside her husband, Curly, she ventured into business, focusing on the construction industry.

Their main company, Alpha and Omega General Contractor and Development Corporation, was officially incorporated on May 19, 2014. The firm specializes in heavy and civil engineering construction. Over the years, it recorded a 13.02% growth in total assets, though its net profit margin slightly dropped by 0.18% in 2023.

The Descayas also own St. Timothy Construction Corporation, another construction firm frequently engaged as part of joint ventures for various infrastructure projects, including the highly publicized Coastal Road Construction. However, reports indicate that the Descayas left St. Timothy Construction in 2017.

Meanwhile, Curly established St. Gerard Construction General Contractor and Development Corporation, a quadruple A-category private contractor. The company is known as a trusted government partner in infrastructure development, particularly in building projects nationwide, with nearly a decade of experience.

Unfortunately, St. Gerard was blacklisted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in January 2020. The suspension, signed by former DPWH Secretary Mark Villar and ordered by Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut, barred the company from participating in government projects for one year.

Political Ambitions and Controversies

Sarah Descaya became a household name during the 2025 midterm election when she ran for mayor of Pasig City, challenging the incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto.

Her candidacy immediately drew attention—and criticism—due to her dual citizenship status. Many questioned the legality of her running for public office while holding a British passport. According to the Philippine Republic Act No. 9225, also known as the Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003, Filipinos who have become naturalized citizens of other countries must renounce their foreign citizenship to be eligible to run for government positions in the Philippines.

Sarah’s legal team, led by Edward Gayalogo, argued that she was a dual citizen by birth, having been born in London to Filipino parents, and therefore was exempt from renouncing her British citizenship. They cited a 2022 Supreme Court ruling clarifying that those who acquire citizenship by birth, not naturalization, are not required to give up their foreign citizenship when running for office.

Despite this legal defense, the controversy fueled public debates and skepticism about her qualifications and loyalty.

Clash with Mayor Vico Sotto and Online Smear Campaigns

The rivalry between Sarah Descaya and Mayor Vico Sotto intensified as election day approached. An online smear campaign targeted Mayor Sotto, using videos of vulnerable citizens allegedly endorsing Descaya’s candidacy as a criticism of Sotto’s leadership.

This political warfare began in September 2024 and escalated into October, coinciding with the filing of certificates of candidacy. Sotto publicly accused the Descaya family’s company, St. Gerard Construction, of various alleged irregularities—fraud, misrepresentation, use of dummy contractors, contract anomalies, and employing substandard materials.

Sarah and her camp insisted their entry into the elections was a response to these allegations and vowed to clear their names.

Flood Control Projects and Senate Investigations

Currently, Sarah Descaya and her family face intense scrutiny over alleged anomalies in flood control projects awarded by the DPWH. Senator Jinggoy Estrada has demanded that Sarah reveal the names of her contacts within the DPWH who facilitated these multi-billion-peso contracts.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. also ordered the DPWH to summon St. Timothy Construction to explain delays and substandard work on a flood control structure in Bulacan, which has remained incomplete for over two years past its expected completion date.

Senator Estrada intends to request a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee-issued warrant of arrest for contractors who fail to attend hearings on these questionable flood control projects. Senate President Francis Escudero confirmed he has signed subpoenas to compel contractors’ attendance.

Customs Investigation into the Descaya Family’s Luxury Vehicles

Adding fuel to the fire, the Bureau of Customs (BOC) has launched an investigation into the Descaya family’s collection of imported luxury cars. The couple displayed their fleet of 40 high-end vehicles during a Julius Babao interview, including brands like Cadillac, GMC Denali, Ford Bronco, Mercedes-Benz, Bentley, and Porsche.

Sarah explained that many of these cars remain unused, and their purpose is to demonstrate to clients their capacity to manage large-scale projects.

BOC Commissioner Ariel Pumuseno promised a thorough investigation, stating that once the information becomes public, the agency will do its duty to examine the Descayas’ wealth.

Inspection of vehicles stored in commercial warehouses can be done via a Letter of Authority (LOA) issued by the commissioner. However, vehicles kept on private property require a court order before inspection.

What’s Next for Sarah Descaya?

Sarah Descaya’s life story—from humble beginnings to a construction magnate and political aspirant—is undeniably compelling. But with ongoing investigations, political battles, and public scrutiny, her journey is far from over.

Her camp continues to assert her innocence and uphold her right to run for office. Meanwhile, the public watches closely, awaiting the outcomes of investigations into her family’s wealth and business practices.

What Do You Think?

With Sarah Descaya’s name in the headlines for both her accomplishments and controversies, we want to hear from you. What is your take on her political ambitions and business dealings? Do you believe the allegations or support her right to public service?

Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.