Marcoleta urges caution on recovered documents

Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Saturday urged calm and due process in handling the so-called “Cabral files,” cautioning that politicizing the matter could derail efforts to uncover the truth behind alleged corruption in flood control projects.

Speaking on the Net 25 public affairs program Sa Ganang Mamamayan, Marcoleta emphasized that the files retrieved from the gadgets of the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral “must go through a proper and orderly process before being used in any official investigation.”

He lamented that the late DPWH official’s death has become politicized, calling it an unfortunate development. Endless public debate over the files, without first confirming their credibility, could render them useless and deprive the public of clarity on who may be responsible for large-scale corruption in flood control projects.

“Because if people just keep talking, but the integrity or authenticity of the documents is not properly established, we will gain nothing — it would all be wasted,” Marcoleta said in Filipino.

The senator also warned that if the data were manipulated or corrupted, it could lead to confusion, false accusations, and internal conflicts, instead of helping identify the alleged masterminds.

“It should not be corrupted. If it is corrupted or manipulated, it will only create more chaos — false data could be added or certain individuals excluded. That is the dilemma we are facing now,” he said.

Marcoleta further clarified the legal implications of Cabral’s death, noting that criminal liability ends upon death, but civil liability may still be pursued. If evidence shows that assets were acquired through anomalous projects, the government can continue to recover them through civil cases.

“Anyone involved in the criminal case related to these events can no longer include the deceased because he is no longer alive,” he explained.

The senator reiterated his appeal for calm and discipline, urging all parties to refrain from using the files for political purposes. He stressed that only by preserving the files’ integrity and following proper procedures can they meaningfully contribute to exposing corruption.

“That’s why we are asking that this not be the approach. Let’s use the files carefully, but first, let’s put them in order. They need to be useful, not corrupted, and their integrity must remain intact. That way, when they are used, the files will serve a clear purpose,” Marcoleta said.

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