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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ombudsman says late ex-DPWH Usec Cabral was offered protection

Ombudsman says late ex-DPWH Usec Cabral was offered protection

Published Dec 19, 2025 04:35 pm
The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) had offered protection to the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
In a press briefing, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said the protection was offered to Cabral as “part of the discussion” although the OMB did not receive any report that she feared for her life.
Cabral was one of the individuals being investigated by the Ombudsman in the multi-billion-peso “ghost flood-control projects” that were implemented by the DPWH with dubious contractors.
She was found unresponsive at the side of Bued River, around 20 to 30 meters below the highway in Benguet last Dec. 18. The police confirmed her death on Friday, Dec. 19.
If Cabral’s death is indicative of anything, it's that the flood control probes are high-stakes and a lot of powerful people are scared about the truth leaking out, Clavano said.
“I think the situation speaks for itself -- that truly we are in dangerous territory here because a lot of high-placed individuals are implicated," he also said.
He recalled that Cabral last appeared at the Ombudsman last Dec. 3. Out of all the cases involving her, he said that Cabral "definitely" had criminal liability to face as a lot of fingers had already pointed at her.
"It was just a matter of time before we were able to file those cases," he said as he pointed out that the Ombudsman was keen to get whatever information she could offer that would help the investigations.
"It’s a blow of sorts to our investigation. But there is also opportunity. The object evidence that would stand alone in court, we can still get it,” he added.
Earlier, the Ombudsman had ordered the retrieval of the telephone and other gadgets of Cabral.
Clavano said the Ombudsman needs Cabral’s phone and other gadgets “at all costs.”
“The Office of the Ombudsman directs the authorities in Benguet to take custody of and preserve the cellphone and other gadgets of former Undersecretary Cathy Cabral for turnover to the investigators at the proper time,” he said.
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