Welcome to the biggest – most ironic – garage sale in the history of the Philippines.
Who needs a dealership or Facebook Marketplace when you can get your next set of wheels – complete with a legally questionable history and guaranteed LTO papers straight from the government’s impound lot?
The Bureau of Customs(BOC) is doing the Lord’s work by auctioning off seven of the 13 ultra-luxury cars seized from controversial flood-control contractors Pacifico “Curlee” and Cezerah “Sarah” Discaya. Yes, that includes the ₱45 million Rolls-Royce Cullinan that was allegedly purchased just because they “liked the umbrella”.
The BOC has announced on November 3, 2025, that this ₱200 million fleet features a Bentley Bentayga and two Mercedes-Benz G Wagons that are now up for grabs. The auction is the government’s official way of cleaning up its own mess, giving the public a chance to buy the spoils of the scandal.
These cars are ready for public viewing from November 10 to 12, 2025, at the PUC Parking OCOM Grounds before the main event on November 17 at 10 a.m., which opens the floodgates to eager bidders.
The following luxury vehicles come with their respective floor prices as announced by the BOC:
- 2023 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
- Floor Price: ₱45,314,391.11
- Bond: ₱2,265,720.00
- 2022 Bentley Bentayga
- Floor Price: ₱17,041,121.93
- Bond: ₱852,056.00
- 2021 Lincoln Navigator L
- Floor Price: ₱7,038,726.14
- Bond: ₱351,936.00
- 2022 Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG
- Floor Price: ₱14,104,768.00
- Bond: ₱705,238.00
- 2019 Mercedes-Benz G500 Brabus
- Floor Price: ₱7,843,239.43
- Bond: ₱392,162.00
- 2023 Toyota Sequoia
- Floor Price: ₱7,258,800.36
- Bond: ₱362,940.00
- 2022 Toyota Tundra
- Floor Price: ₱4,994,079.00
- Bond: ₱499,408.00
How to Join the Auction: Your Path to Plundered Luxury
Ever wanted to turn seized luxury into your next set of wheels? Here’s how to get in on the BOC auction.
The Registration
First, register at least two days before the sale and prepare your tax clearance from the Bureau of Internal Revenue(BIR). Yes, the government needs proof that you paid your legal taxes before you can bid on items seized for not paying taxes.
You’ll also need to pay the ₱5,050 non-refundable registration fee and put down a bidder’s bond worth 10% of the vehicle’s floor price, which is payable in cash or manager’s check.
For the Rolls-Royce, that’s about ₱2.2 million, just enough to prove you can afford to bid for the car.
The Sealed Bid Showdown
The auction will use a sealed-bid system, meaning everyone keeps their bids a secret until the highest bidder wins. If the bids end in a tie, the ultimate winner is determined by toss coin. If you end up losing, don’t feel bad; your bonds will be refunded. It’s not like your car got seized in the first place.
Payment & Pickup
Winners must pay at least 50% of the winning bid immediately (on the spot!) and the remaining balance on the next business day.
Unless you’d prefer to watch your deposits vanish faster than flood-control funds in the national budget. And remember: winners will only have 30 days to claim their cars; otherwise, the Bureau will happily put them back on the block.
For those that are planning to bid, the full details and fine print are available here: https://customs.gov.ph/notice-of-public-auction-port-of-manila-17-november-2025/
What to Check and Prepare For?
Before jumping into bidding, it’s best to know what you’re getting into.
These aren’t just any cars; they’re seized vehicles now available to the highest prepared bidders. As stated in the notice, these cars are sold strictly on an “As is Where is” basis, meaning you buy them exactly in their current state. No takesies-backsies, no guarantees, no test drives.
Inspect Before You Bid
Take advantage of the public viewing from November 10 to 12, 2025, as this will be your only chance to see the cars up close.
Remember, these are seized vehicles that have been in the BOC compound for over two months. Inspect them for visible damage, look for missing parts, check the mileage, and test the electronics if the BOC allows during the public viewing.
Once you bid, you’re accepting the car in its current condition. If you’re eyeing the Rolls-Royce, make sure to check if its umbrellas are still inside the doors (hopefully no one steals it during the viewing dates).
Check the Paperwork and Guidelines
These vehicles come with their official LTO documents, but remember, they were seized due to unpaid customs duties. Make sure to review all the papers provided by the BOC, as you’ll need them later for registration and transfer of ownership.
Legal Side
Remember that these are forfeited assets.
Any kind of paperwork is now your problem. It is wise to consult a lawyer or someone familiar with government auctions and verify that there are no pending cases or appeals tied to the vehicle.
Bring the Right Payment
Bidders must post a 10 percent bond based on the floor price, so prepare your finances ahead of time.
This isn’t Facebook Marketplace, where you can ask to reserve an item and ghost the seller after. If you win the auction, you will need to settle any remaining balance immediately after the auction.
The Real Cost
Winning the auction is just the beginning. Now here’s the fun part.
Since these vehicles were forfeited for non-compliance with customs laws, specifically lacking import entries and/or certificate of payments (CPs). You’re not just buying a car, but buying the responsibility of legalizing it.
However, the BOC has also taken measures to protect its bidders, publicly stating that once the winning bidders have fully paid for their vehicles, the LTO will handle the registration process.
This is the assurance you need:
Winning bidders can have peace of mind knowing that they will not face harassment or questioning from LTO or the Highway Patrol Group(HPG). All vehicles acquired through the auction will undergo a complete registration process, ensuring the buyer’s legal ownership and full rights.
Still, remember that full registration will take time and paperwork, very fun, right? So factor in potential administrative fees and delays. Make sure your wallet (and patience) are ready for the full cost of bringing that luxury car back on the road.
The Risk of Being Too Late
Remember, winners only have 30 days to claim their cars from the BOC compound.
While the LTO clearance is guaranteed, any delay in securing the necessary documents or financing post-auction could jeopardize your ability to claim the vehicle within that strict timeframe. Don’t let your perfect bid be forfeited due to a late pickup!
Where the Money Goes: A Return to the Treasury
The final question for every bidder and citizen is: where does the money from the auction go?
The BOC is confident that this auction, which liquidates millions in seized assets and unpaid duties, will be a huge success, expecting to earn at least ₱100 million from the sealed bids, maybe even more.
The destination of the funds will entirely go back to the National Treasury. However, the irony of the situation is unavoidable. The very wealth recovered from alleged corruption schemes is simply returned to the same system that has historically been plagued by leakage.
The auction represents a clear motive of the government recouping funds lost to corruption, but now it presents a new question for the public: Will this recovered wealth finally be used to build better flood control projects, or will it simply be recycled into the next corruption scandal?
Sources:
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2131963/boc-to-auction-off-7-of-13-seized-discaya-owned-luxury-cars