Photo from Philippine News Agency (PNA)
The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday ordered the preservation of all gadgets belonging to resigned public works undersecretary Catalina Cabral, who was pronounced dead after being found unconscious in Benguet.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said authorities in Benguet were directed to take custody of Cabral’s cellphone and other electronic devices.
“The Ombudsman’s office directs the authorities in Benguet to take custody of and preserve the cellphone and other gadgets of former Usec. Cathy Cabral,” Clavano told reporters in a message thread after midnight.
Clavano said the gadgets would be turned over to investigators “at the proper time.”
The directive was issued after Cabral was found unresponsive along the Bued River area of Kennon Road on Thursday.
Cabral has been identified as one of the key figures in the alleged kickback schemes linked to the flood control corruption scandal.
She was among public works officials recommended to face charges over alleged budget insertions for infrastructure projects.
Cabral was among the invited resource persons in hearings conducted by the Independent Commission for Infrastructure.
However, she did not attend the ICI hearing scheduled on December 15.