Digital advocates seek probe into alleged illegal access of Cabral files

A network of digital advocates on Tuesday called for an investigation into the alleged unauthorized access to the files of former Public Works and Highways undersecretary Catalina Cabral by Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste.

Digital Pinoys national campaigner Ronald Gustilo said the reports on Leviste’s action raise serious concerns about the protection of government data, the integrity of official records, and the systems meant to safeguard them.

“Government files and digital systems exist within a framework of custody, authorization, and chain of accountability,” Gustilo said in a statement.

“Regardless of intent, bypassing these safeguards risks compromising data integrity, enabling selective disclosure, and weakening public trust in institutions. Transparency should not be advanced through self-help or unilateral action,” he added.

Gustilo pointed out that the fight against corruption must strengthen institutions, not erode them.

“Legitimate whistleblowing and oversight mechanisms exist precisely to ensure that evidence remains credible, protected, and usable for genuine accountability,” he said.

‘If the manner of acquisition and the chain of custody compromise the integrity of the information obtained, such evidence risks becoming unusable in legal proceedings,” he added.

Gustilo reiterated Digital Pinoys’ position that transparency and accountability should always be pursued within the bounds of the law, due process, and sound digital governance.

“Upholding the rule of law is not an obstacle to transparency—it is its foundation. It must be upheld at all times,” he said.

GMA News Online sought comment from Leviste, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP) but they have yet to provide a statement as of posting time.

Leviste admitted that he went to Cabral's office after he visited an assistant secretary at the DPWH. But he denied that he struggled with Cabral over the documents. 

“I vehemently deny may inagawan akong dokumento from Usec. Cabral at ang tanong ko po, bakit ngayon lang 'yan sasabihin kung totoo man ‘yan,” he said. 

(I vehemently deny that I snatched any documents from Usec. Cabral, and my question is, why are they only saying this now if it were actually true?)

When asked if he really copied files from the computer, Leviste just nodded. 

 “I hope that the public can see lahat ng direction ko ay para maging transparent tayo sa budget (I hope the public can see that my direction is toward being transparent with our budget),” he said. —with Joahna Lei Casilao/AOL, GMA Integrated News