Ombudsman: Cabral’s computer to undergo forensic exam
MANILA, Philippines — The computer allegedly belonging to the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral will be opened and subjected to forensic examination, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla.
Remulla said the device was surrendered to the Office of the Ombudsman by DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, although he did not specify when.
“Yung computer ni Cabral na sinurrender sa amin ni Vince Dizon, bubuksan namin kasama ang COA (Commission on Audit) at ang DPWH. Ifo-forensic ito kasama ang cybercrime units ng NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) at PNP (Philippine National Police),” Remulla said in an interview with DZRH on Saturday.
Earlier, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disclosed that the authentication of the so-called “Cabral files”—which she now refers to as the “Leviste files”—is now in the hands of the anti-graft body.
Her update came after Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste’s latest claims implicating the Office of the President as the supposed proponent of P8 billion worth of DPWH projects.
The Cabral files are documents allegedly showing budget insertions tied to officials and linked to corruption.
READ: Leviste files authentication now in Ombudsman’s hands — Castro
“The authentication of the ‘Leviste files’ is now in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman. As Assistant Ombudsman Clavano said, documents held by others that may be edited cannot be considered conclusive evidence,” Castro said in Filipino in a Viber message to reporters.
“Many versions are circulating, and they do not match. Some have written annotations, some include the names of Cabinet secretaries, while other versions do not contain such details. Stories without solid evidence will remain mere speculation. Let us wait for the Office of the Ombudsman to speak on this,” she added.
The Cabral files are documents allegedly showing budget insertions tied to officials and linked to corruption.
According to police reports, Cabral was found about 30 meters from the riverbank along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet, on December 18.
Her death came months after President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ordered investigations into several flood control and slope protection projects flagged as anomalous, leading to probes involving several top DPWH officials.
Cabral was among those mentioned in the investigation after fellow Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo linked her to the issue—an allegation she denied. Reports indicate that she oversaw planning and public-private partnership projects at the DPWH and was allegedly involved in the allocation of agency funds. /jpv
