Malacañan Palace on Wednesday called for a “deeper investigation” into potential corruption related to the construction of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria bridge in Isabela province.

According to Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro, initial findings suggest that the bridge required retrofitting just years after its completion.

"What we see, as we said, [the construction] started in 2014 and it appears that 90% of it was completed during the time of former President [Rodrigo] Duterte. It is said that due to earthquakes and whatever... over time, it has not become strong and needs to be retrofitted," she said during a Palace briefing.

She added that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) found that the bridge was “under-designed.”

"So far, what we see is that there was under-design; the investigation also shows that this is actually for light vehicles according to the design. So, it also shows that the trucks that passed by — they said there were three dump trucks that passed by — were filled with boulders, the load, there was something that was not right — when they passed, it was not right because there were heavy vehicles passing by that were not in accordance with the capacity of the bridge," Castro explained.

Previously, the DPWH had stated that the bridge was designated for light vehicles only.

While the DPWH has yet to launch a full investigation into the incident, Secretary Manuel Bonoan noted that the company operating the dump trucks that crossed the bridge could face liability.

"One of the things Secretary Bonoan is saying is that it is possible – we are not saying this… this is not a conclusion yet — it is only possible that the owner of the… corporation that owns the dump trucks can also be held liable because three were said to have passed by in a row. So, that is just the initial investigation. But what is being said is that it is not just the previous administration that can be held liable for this — everyone, up until now, whoever may be liable for this, if there is anyone, all of them should be held liable," Castro stressed.

On 27 February, a dump truck carrying boulders attempted to cross the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge when the structure collapsed. The incident injured six individuals and crushed two SUVs and one scooter.

The bridge, which cost P1.2 billion, was opened to the public last month. It also underwent retrofitting in 2023 to align with updated DPWH design codes aimed at strengthening the structure.