Malacañang maintained that documents dubbed "Cabral files" or the "DPWH list" remain questionable, stressing that there is no proof that the lists indeed came from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the lists are "nothing but hearsay" and can even be "treated as mere fabricated documents."

"The alleged Cabral lists or the DPWH leaks are still questionable. There is no proof that they really come from DPWH," Castro said on Friday, Dec. 26.

"Unless the documents come from DPWH, we could not give the alleged 'Cabral files' or any list from an unknown source any probative value. It is nothing but hearsay and can be treated as mere fabricated documents. Nonetheless, nobody can even assert that such project pushed through," Castro stressed.

Castro also clarified that she was not questioning the pieces of evidence discovered in the hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which is chaired by Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson.

"With all due respect to Sen. Lacson, it is the alleged 'Cabral's files' without yet being authenticated by the DPWH that remains hearsay and without probative value. We are only talking about the unverified 'Leviste list,'" Castro also said on Friday, when sought for reaction.

"There is nothing in our statements that questions the pieces of evidence that had already been discovered through the hearings conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which he chairs," Castro added.

The Palace official also emphasized that the administration and all relevant investigative bodies, including the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), "are working to gather evidence so that the culprits may be prosecuted for their illegal acts."

She further said that the "rule of law should always be observed and mere hearsay evidence is generally inadmissible and has no room to be entertained."

President Marcos' pronouncement was clear —those who are found to be involved in in the massive infrastructure corruption must be held accountable "whether they are relatives, friends, and allies."

She stressed that it was unacceptable to insinuate that the Palace is covering up for someone.

"It is not acceptable to insinuate that the Palace is "covering-up" for someone," she said.

Castro rejected Batangas Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste's call on the Palace to check with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon the authenticity of the claims that some Cabinet officials are proponents of budget insertions.

"Why should this representation prove the alleged 'Cabral's files' he claims to possess? He has started bragging about them, so it is his responsibility to prove their authenticity. Why should he shift his responsibility to others?" Castro questioned.

The Palace press officer pointed out that Leviste is the one responsible to substantiate his claims.

"We are not even aware if what he is in possession of are mere altered or fabricated documents. So, before anyone speaks and accuses someone, they should substantiate their claims with verified facts and documents," Castro said.

"Sa mga sarili nilang alegasyon, huwag nilang iutos o iobliga sa iba ang pagpapatotoo sa mga sinasabi nila (For their own allegations, they should not order or compel others to validate or testify to the claims they are making)," Castro added.

Leviste has recently released a portion of documents supposedly given to her by former Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral last September. The documents contained per-district allocation for 2025 infrastructure projects and the summary of allocation per district, province, and region from 2023 to 2026.