Cabral, others faced PI in plunder case—DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the plunder case linked to alleged anomalous flood control projects in Bulacan involving former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was set to be referred to the Office of the Ombudsman before her death.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the case, which was already slated for referral for evaluation, involves several DPWH officials in Bulacan as well as project proponents who may have benefited from the flood control projects.

Fadullon said one case involving Cabral was about to undergo preliminary investigation, but the process was overtaken by events following her death.

“If you’re asking if there is an active preliminary investigation, there’s still none, since the PI was about to start in the case she was involved in,” Fadullon said. “This is a plunder case and involves several proponents as well.”

He added that the case is not limited to officials of the DPWH Bulacan District Engineering Office, but also covers private proponents allegedly involved in the projects.

Cabral was found “unconscious and unresponsive” about 20 to 30 meters below a highway along Kennon Road several hours after she reportedly asked her driver to drop her off at a section of the road, according to police.

The Tuba Municipal Police Station chief said a municipal doctor pronounced Cabral dead at the scene near the Bued River at 12:03 a.m. on Friday.

Fadullon said that while Cabral’s death extinguished her criminal liability, the DOJ would continue to pursue civil forfeiture proceedings to preserve assets registered under her name.

He said investigations would continue, noting that asset preservation may be pursued through means other than restitution, with the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) currently taking action.

Meanwhile, police investigators said their probe into Cabral’s death is ongoing, including determining whether the incident has any link to the alleged flood control anomalies.