Following claims of copies now called the Cabral Files, Ombudsman Jesus Remulla on Saturday, 03 January 2026, said the computer of the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral will undergo forensic examination.

During a DZRH program, the topic on the supposed files, which allegedly consist of a list of insertions and proponents sourced from the late Undersecretary and who were also implicated in flood control anomalies, was discussed. The Ombudsman said the forensic examination will be conducted together with concerned agencies involved in the investigation.

“Cabral’s computer, which was surrendered to us by Sec. Vince Dizon, we will open it together with the Commission on Audit and DPWH. It will undergo forensic examination with the Cybercrime units of the NBI and PNP,” Remulla said in Filipino.

Palace Spokesperson Usec. Claire Castro on Thursday, 01 January 2026, said the so-called Cabral Files, which she referred to as Leviste Files, are now under the Office of the Ombudsman.

“The authentication of the ‘Leviste Files’ is now in the hands of the Office of the Ombudsman. As Assistant Ombudsman Clavano said, documents held by others that may be edited cannot be considered conclusive evidence,” Castro said.

Castro added that multiple versions of the documents are circulating online, with details appearing inconsistent—some containing written annotations and names of Cabinet Secretaries, while others do not.

“Let us wait for the Office of the Ombudsman to speak on this,” she said.

Meanwhile, in a separate DZMM interview on Saturday, 03 January 2026, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste said he hopes the Ombudsman will make the files public.

“I hope that they can make it public. If the DPWH gave it to them, DPWH said that it is up to the Ombudsman what to do,” Leviste said.

Leviste said updates from the Ombudsman would be better as soon as possible. He added that publicizing the files would not be harmful since it is a public document, noting that some already have copies.

“It can’t really hurt because it's a public document and many have a copy of it. Even the media is releasing it to the public, so they should as well,” he said.

The congressman claimed he has been discussing the files since November 2025 and said he presented a copy to the Ombudsman. However, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano stated that Leviste only presented a limited portion of the list.

“During this engagement, Congressman Leviste presented only limited portions of the list responsive, in fairness, to specific inquiries, but he did not present the entire set of files he claimed to possess even when asked to do so,” Clavano said.

Leviste then claimed that an Ombudsman staff reached out to apologize regarding the supposed inaccurate video. AO Clavano, however, said he does not want to engage on the claims.

“It’s a black hole. I want to stay focused. Besides, it’s not about us,” he stated.