Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Saturday called for restraint and due process in handling the so-called “Cabral files,” warning that politicizing the issue could compromise efforts to uncover the truth behind alleged corruption in flood control projects.

During a recent episode of the Net 25 public affairs program Sa Ganang Mamamayan, aired over the weekend, Marcoleta said the files retrieved from the gadgets of the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral “must undergo a proper and orderly process before being used in any official investigation.”

Marcoleta lamented that the death of the former DPWH official has become politicized, a development he described as unfortunate.

He said that endless public debate over the files, without first establishing their credibility, could render them useless and deprive the public of clear answers on who may be responsible for large-scale corruption in flood control projects.

“Kasi kung halimbawa, salitaan nang salitaan nang ganito pero yung integrity o authenticity ng mga dokumento ay hindi naman mailagay sa ayos, wala tayong mapapala, sayang (Because if people just keep talking like this, but the integrity or authenticity of the documents is not properly established, we will gain nothing—it would all be wasted),” he said.

Marcoleta also warned that if the data were manipulated or corrupted, it could lead to further confusion, false accusations, and internal conflict, instead of helping identify the alleged masterminds behind the anomalies being investigated by authorities.

“Hindi siya dapat ma-corrupt. Kapag na-corrupt yan, namanipula yan, ay lalong magkakagulo yan. Kasi, baka maglalagay sila ng datos na baka hindi totoo, iiwas si ganito, mga ganyan. So iyan ang dilemma natin ngayon (It should not be corrupted. If it is corrupted or manipulated, it will only cause more chaos, because false data could be inserted or certain individuals could be excluded. That is the dilemma we are facing now),” he said.

During the program, Marcoleta also clarified the legal implications of Cabral’s death. He explained that criminal liability is extinguished upon a person’s death, but possible civil liabilities remain.

If evidence shows that certain assets were acquired through anomalous projects, he noted that the government may still pursue recovery through civil cases.

However, Marcoleta said that while the deceased can no longer be prosecuted criminally or serve as a source of testimony, investigations may still proceed against other individuals who may have been involved.

“Lahat ng may kinalaman doon sa kasong kriminal na kinapalooban ng mga pangyayari, hindi na siya kasali roon dahil wala na siya (All those involved in the criminal case related to those events can no longer include him because he is no longer alive),” he explained.

He then reiterated his appeal for calm and discipline, urging concerned parties to avoid using the files for political purposes.

According to Marcoleta, only by preserving the files’ integrity and following proper procedures can they meaningfully contribute to uncovering the roots of corruption in flood control projects.

“Kaya tayo ay nakikiusap na sana, ay huwag ganoon ang paraan. Gamitin natin yun sa mahinahon sana, pero ilagay natin sa ayos muna. Kailangang mapakinabangan, kailangan hindi corrupted, kailangan yung integrity nun ay intact pa rin. Para sa ganoon, pag ginamit yun, ay mayroong kapupuntahan ang mga files (Which is why we are appealing for this not to be the approach. Let’s use it calmly, but first, let’s put it in order. It needs to be useful, not corrupted, and its integrity must remain intact. That way, when it is used, the files will have a clear purpose or direction),” he said.

The senator added that premature disclosure or speculation about the contents of the files would only fuel rumors and deepen divisions, rather than advance accountability.