Photo courtesy of Office of the Ombudsman.
Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste handed only part of the alleged “Cabral files” to investigators, even as multiple sources reportedly hold copies of the documents, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Monday.
The files, linked to the late Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, allegedly detail controversial insertions in the 2025 infrastructure budget involving Cabinet officials.
Clavano noted that Leviste provided limited portions to answer specific questions, contradicting earlier claims that the full set had been submitted.
Leviste acknowledged that he is not the sole custodian of the files, citing copies held by the DPWH, the Ombudsman, and other officials.
He urged Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon to release the documents to ensure full transparency and avoid questions about their authenticity.
Leviste said the public should know how the P3.5 trillion DPWH budget was spent and which lawmakers proposed each project.
He also offered to cross-check his copy against any official release to confirm that no information was removed.
Clavano emphasized that the Ombudsman considers original documents from agencies and authorized custodians as the most reliable source of evidence.