Several members of the House of Representatives on Monday filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina Cabral by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability and the Committee on Public Works.
The lawmakers said Cabral, who was allegedly implicated in the flood control project anomaly, possessed extensive knowledge of the issue. They also raised concerns over whether authorities acted swiftly enough to obtain information from her and provide adequate protection prior to her death.
The resolution was filed by Senior Deputy Minority Leader and Caloocan City 2nd District Rep. Edgar “Egay” Erice, along with Mamamayang Liberal Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima; Akbayan Party-list lawmakers Chel Diokno, Perci Cendaña, and Dadah Kiram Ismula; Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste; Kamanggagawa Rep. Eli San Fernando; and Dinagat Islands Rep. Kaka Bag-ao.
“This inquiry is not about persecution, it is about accountability. Not about speculation, but evidence. Not about politics, but justice. The Filipino people deserve nothing less,” Erice said.
Erice stressed that the case is deeply troubling and warned that mishandling it could silence other potential witnesses or whistleblowers.
“This inquiry is also a call to action to immediately secure testimonies, place witnesses under protection, and prevent any further loss of life or truth,” he said.
De Lima, for her part, questioned the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s pronouncement that there was no foul play in Cabral’s death.
“Hindi kasi maganda yung mayroon kaagad parang pronouncement ang DILG na ‘no, there’s no indication’ daw of power play,” she said.
She also raised concerns over why Cabral’s properties and assets were not immediately seized, given her alleged role in the infrastructure corruption controversy.
“Bakit hindi kaagad ginawa ng proper authorities na i-seize, i-forfeit yung kanyang mga assets? At hindi siya secure bilang material figure in all of this na marami siyang nalalaman, isa siya sa pinaka-marami ang nalalaman,” De Lima said.
“Maraming nagkulang dito, kailangan masilip ’yan,” she added.
Akbayan Party-list Rep. Chel Diokno said Congress had been pushing to preserve the electronic devices of DPWH officials allegedly involved in the scandal, but expressed surprise that a cyber warrant was secured only after Cabral’s death.
“Nagtaka kami kung bakit matagal na rin nilang alam na dapat nangyari ito pero nung isang araw lang nila ginawa and only after the death of Usec. Cabral. These are among the things that we need to look into dito sa imbestigasyon,” Diokno said.
Cendaña, meanwhile, said the situation might have been avoided had Malacañang prioritized the passage of the Independent Commission Against Infrastructure Corruption (ICIAC) measure, which seeks to give the Independent Commission for Infrastructure stronger investigative powers.
“If Malacañang prioritized and certified ICIAC as urgent, we would not be in this situation now. That's why in this incident, Malacañang's fault is really big in the failure of securing this important information to build the truth behind the flood control scam,” he said.
He also warned that the investigation would continue despite Cabral’s death.
“Another motivation for this resolution is to ensure that Christmas is not merry for those involved in the flood control scam. If they feel and believe that because of the passing of Usec. Cabral they are safe, far from it. There are other ways of getting the information and the truth that is out there,” Cendaña said.
Earlier, Batangas 1st District Rep. Leviste said he has a copy of a list allegedly provided by Cabral containing the names of proponents, including not only lawmakers but also officials from the executive branch and private individuals.
Leviste said he would wait for the DPWH’s official position on the matter to avoid compromising his work in Congress.