PHOTO BY PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY
Several House of Representatives lawmakers expressed concern over the untimely death of former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, saying it raises serious questions about ongoing investigations.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña said on Friday that Cabral, a key figure in probes of anomalous DPWH projects, questioned whether anyone would benefit from her death.
Initial reports indicated Cabral was found unresponsive along the Bued River near Kennon Road, and her death was later confirmed by physicians after her body was retrieved.
“As a key figure in the flood control investigations, the sudden death of DPWH Undersecretary Cabral raises serious questions: Who will benefit most from her death? Will the truth die with her? Will she be the ‘fall guy’ in this grand corruption scandal?” Cendaña asked.
He called for the immediate securing of all her relevant digital records and for the government to guarantee the safety of witnesses, suspects, and persons of interest, while urging that any ill-gotten wealth be returned to public funds.
Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste said Cabral’s computer contained a list of proponents for DPWH project insertions, and that this information could have concluded the flood control investigation.
Leviste alleged that CWS party-list Rep. Edwin Gardiola “pre-ordered” over P22 billion worth of projects, which were awarded to companies connected to him, based on allocations at the National Expenditures Program (NEP) level.
Leviste added that despite Secretary Vince Dizon’s efforts to reduce project costs, the 2026 NEP budget, crafted under Cabral, allowed for arbitrary allocations prone to corruption, a fact admitted by Dizon.
Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, presiding officer of the House infrastructure committee, expressed condolences to Cabral’s family and stressed that they should be given time to mourn her passing.
House lawmakers previously scrutinized Cabral’s role during committee hearings, highlighting her failure to identify the law that created DPWH’s charter, Executive Order No. 124, which was signed during former President Corazon Aquino’s administration.
