House InFracomm seeks copies of Cabral Files — Rep. Ridon

Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon said on Saturday that the House Infrastructure Committee (InFracomm), the tricameral committee body investigating alleged flood control corruption before the probe was taken over by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure (ICI), will request copies of the so-called “Cabral files” from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

According to Ridon, the committee will seek the files left by former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral by next week.

“Now I am disclosing that we will request them from the DPWH. We will ask for copies next week,” Ridon said during a forum on Saturday.

The lawmaker said the agency likely still has its own copies of the files, even after turning over the late undersecretary’s documents and computer to the Office of the Ombudsman on 23 December amid the flood control probe and following Cabral’s unexpected death.

“If they were able to give them to the Ombudsman, I don’t think there is any reason not to give them to the House Infrastructure Committee and the House Public Accounts Committee,” he said.

Recently, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the computer and files turned over by the DPWH remain sealed as his office is still determining the proper legal process for opening them.

Remulla said the only way to verify the truth amid the controversy is through the computer left by the late Undersecretary Catalina Cabral. He emphasized the risks of releasing unverified files purportedly linked to the former official.

“The DPWH turned it over to us, and we will look into it. But other people should not claim they know what’s inside it because no one can prove it except the computer itself that we are holding,” Remulla said.

Earlier, Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste released, in batches, what he claimed were copies of the files sourced from Cabral herself.

However, anonymous DPWH staff members alleged that Cabral suffered paper cuts and bled after the congressman allegedly forcibly took the documents without proper authority.

Ridon said that amid questions over the authenticity of Leviste’s files, the committee’s request is not intended to debunk his colleague’s claims.

“We just want to obtain them as part of our records. Since the House Infrastructure Committee hearings are currently suspended, the committee is at least coordinating with various offices,” Ridon explained.

He added that it is important for InFracomm to have copies of the files should the tricameral body resume its investigation once the ICI is dissolved. However, Ridon noted that “as long as the ICI exists, the House will recuse itself.”

The Ombudsman said he will meet with DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Commission on Audit Chairperson Famaliel Cordoba to discuss the process they intend to follow in opening the files.