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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Marcoleta: Not proper for Leviste to discuss contents of Cabral files

Marcoleta: Not proper for Leviste to discuss contents of Cabral files

Published Jan 20, 2026 01:21 pm

At A Glance

  • Senator Rodante Marcoleta believes it is not proper for Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste to explain the contents of the so-called Cabral files.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta believes that it is not proper for Batangas 1st district Rep. Leandro Legarda Leviste to explain the contents of the so-called Cabral files.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Rodante Marcoleta (Senate PRIB photo)
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Monday, Jan. 19, Marcoleta said that the neophyte lawmaker is "not competent" because he’s not part of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
According to Marcoleta, Leviste can only testify on how he obtained the files from the late former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
"I don't think he is competent because he is not part of [the] DPWH, he is not even a staff of DPWH. He has nothing to do with the preparation of the entries, the consolidation of the reports; he has no personality to testify," Marcoleta said.
“I think what he can testify is limited to only how he was able to obtain the files from DPWH, particularly from the office of USec. Cabral,” he added.
Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto also suggested requesting the Office of the Ombudsman to first verify the list’s authenticity.
With different versions of the so-called Cabral list in circulation, Sotto said it would be best to have a copy of Leviste’s list authenticated before any further discussion could take place.
“The Ombudsman has the computer and the contents of what is really inside that and it can be compared to the list that Cong. Leviste had, Senator Lacson had and what is in the portals of these departments,” Sotto said.
“In other words, the Executive department has a copy. It will be a welcome for the committee to have the files by Cong. Leviste submitted to the Blue Ribbon Committee,” he added.
Leviste was earlier accused of harassing Cabral in an incident said to have occurred inside her office, according to a post circulating on social media.
He has given a categorical denial to reports that he obtained the so-called "Cabral files" through illegal or underhanded means.

Related Tags

rodante marcoleta Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Leandro Legarda Leviste
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