Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada has named three Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretaries he believes are responsible for the collapse of the Cabagan-Sta. Maria Bridge in Isabela province.

During a privileged speech last 4 August, the lawmaker identified Undersecretary for Regional Operations in Luzon Eugenio Pipo Jr., Undersecretary for Regional Operations in Visayas and Mindanao Ador Canlas, and Undersecretary for Planning Service and Public-Private Partnership Service Maria Catalina Cabral.

He also named Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations in Luzon Loreta Malaluan and Assistant Secretary for Regional Operations in Visayas and Mindanao Mary Bueno as having ties to the project.

The senator's statement came after he was questioned by Senator Rodante Marcoleta about the collapse of the P1.2 billion bridge, which was completed on 1 February and collapsed just 26 days later on 27 February. The collapse injured six people.

He clarified during an inquiry by Senator Imee Marcos that another DPWH official, Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, was not involved in the incident.

The lawmaker stressed that accountability should go beyond the truck driver, contractors, and design consultants.

He said DPWH officials who planned, approved, and oversaw the project should be held liable, especially since engineers had reportedly warned of the potential for the bridge to collapse.

“There are no reports of any DPWH official being suspended or investigated in connection with this project,” the senator said, calling on the government to pursue “concrete reforms in design, review, safety compliance, and project oversight” to prevent future incidents.