DPWH turns over 10 years' worth of Cabral files to Ombudsman

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on Tuesday turned over all of former undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral’s computers and files to the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a statement, the DPWH said the turnover of Cabral’s files was in compliance with the Ombudsman’s Subpoena Duces Tecum, directing the agency to produce and turn over all computers and devices issued to the deceased government official.

The Public Works Department said the turned-over files were “documents and other requests for consideration in the programming of NEP (National Expenditure Program) in the last 10 years, among others.”

The files were turned over the Ombudsman by DPWH undersecretaries Nicasio Conti, Arthur Bisnar, Ricardo Bernabe III, and Charles Calima Jr.

In a separate statement, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the Central Processing Unit and files of Cabral have been sealed and delivered to the custody of the Office of the Ombudsman.

“It will remain sealed until we are able to do a digital forensic test,” Clavano said.

Sought for comment if the Ombudsman remains keen on getting Cabral’s mobile phone, Clavano replied, “that’s a PNP (Philippine National Police) matter. But we have expressed our utmost interest in the cell phone.

READ: Who was ex-DPWH undersecretary Catalina Cabral?

Cabral, who has been linked to anomalous flood control projects, was found on December 18 “unconscious and unresponsive” 20 to 30 meters below a highway hours after she instructed her driver to leave her at a portion of Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet.

She was later pronounced dead shortly after midnight on December 19.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Cabral surveyed the ravine in Tuba, which may indicate the "seriousness of the intent" to jump to her death.

However, the Philippine National Police earlier said that while some evidence points to a possible suicide, its investigation is still ongoing and no conclusion has yet to be reached.

Cabral resigned from the DPWH in September amid congressional investigations into alleged fund anomalies in flood control projects, including claims of kickbacks involving lawmakers and government officials.

Earlier, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) said it would invite Cabral, who used to be DPWH undersecretary for planning, as a resource person in its probe into alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects. —VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News