Deaths cast long shadow over flood control scandal
ALLOCABLES mastermind? The late DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral testifies before a Senate Blue Ribbon panel hearing on the ‘Floodgate’ scandal. Cabral’s death raised suspicions of foul play due to her key role in the insertions of pork projects in the yearly budget.
Photo by Aram Lascano for DAILY TRIBUNE
Like scenes drawn from political thrillers, the pursuit of justice sometimes leaves behind unanswered questions when key figures die or disappear.
One of the most controversial deaths linked to the flood control scandal is that of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who was found lifeless on 18 December in a deep ravine at Purok Maramal, Sitio Camp 5, Barangay Camp 4, Tuba, Benguet.
Prior to her death, Cabral had been summoned by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI) on 15 December, a hearing she did not attend. Her name figured prominently in the flood control controversy, particularly allegations that she had asked senators and members of the House of Representatives whether they wanted project insertions in certain DPWH programs.
Another DPWH official who has died is Engineer Larry Reyes, chairman of the Bids and Awards Committee of the DPWH Sorsogon First District Engineering Office.
In a statement, the agency said Reyes’ death was not related to the ongoing flood control investigation. However, several projects in Sorsogon have since been flagged for possible involvement in the scandal, raising further questions as probes continue.