Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - Former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral was at the Office of the Ombudsman on December 3, two weeks before her death, for questioning in relation to the Ombudsman’s probe on flood control project anomalies, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano. Cabral spoke to prosecutors, who observed Cabral “lawyered up” and did not divulge much information, Clavano added.But there were talks of informing Cabral about “forthcoming” charges against her so she could &quot;strategize” accordingly. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/19/pnp-to-probe-ex-usec-cabral-s-death-we-should-not-rule-out-any-factor-1202">PNP to probe ex-Usec. Cabral&#x27;s death: &#x27;We should not rule out any factor&#x27;</a></div>This was part of the agency’s efforts to “slowly gather information” as Cabral became more comfortable speaking with them.“‘Yung mga prosecutors na kausap niya, ang observation nila ay nag-lawyer up na po si former Usec. Cabral, and there was not much information shared at the time that they conducted this inquiry or questioning. So ‘yung usapan pa kasi noon was for her to know what charges were forthcoming so that she could strategize also accordingly... The Office of the Ombudsman was willing to talk to her and to slowly gather information as she became more and more comfortable with the setting,” Clavano said in a press briefing on Friday. Clavano added that Cabral was “willing to cooperate” during the preliminary talks.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/19/lawmakers-seek-probe-into-cabral-s-death-protection-of-flood-control-evidence-1612">‘Will truth die with her?’: Lawmakers seek probe into Cabral&#x27;s death, protection of flood control evidence</a></div>“Assuming that she was being guided also by her lawyers not to give to much information at this point when she was invited for questioning or inquiry, so it would have been a process that we had to follow para po mas maging komportable siya to share and for her to express her cooperation in such a way na magagamit din namin ang mga ebidensya laban sa mga tao na mayroon siyang impormasyon,” Clavano said.Multiple individuals have accused Cabral of playing a role in budget insertions to make way for questionable projects.On Thursday night, Cabral was found at the side of Bued River after an alleged fall from a cliff in Tuba, Benguet.The Office of the Ombudsman also received reports of Cabral having a list of proponents or projects involved in alleged insertions, according to Clavano.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/19/driver-of-ex-usec-cabral-now-person-of-interest-over-her-death-pnp-1329">Driver of ex-Usec. Cabral now &#x27;person of interest&#x27; over her death: PNP</a></div>“Reports have reached us that mayroon talaga siyang listahan sana ng mga tao na nag-insert ng mga projects sa budget. So hindi pa natin nakikita itong listahan,” Clavano said. However, there is a need to apply for a cyberwarrant in order to gain access to Cabral’s gadgets, which may contain the list, Clavano said.“Definitely kailangan talaga apply-an ng cyberwarrant ‘yung mga ganyan. These are contents that you find in a computer or a device that is subject to the rules of the application for cyberwarrant. So that is definitely something that we have started to work on lalo na ngayon po na we are verifying the death of the former Usec. Cabral. This would be the best time to move for the custody and preservation of the contents in her devices and gadgets,” Clavano told the media.He also urged anyone with access to her devices to “come forward with this list” and give this to the Office of the Ombudsman.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/19/palace-up-to-agencies-to-investigate-former-dpwh-usec-cabral-s-death-1233">Palace: Up to agencies to investigate former DPWH Usec Cabral&#x27;s death</a></div>For Clavano, “time is of the essence” when it comes to obtaining gadgets belonging to Cabral given the risk of its contents being altered or erased.“We afford all the respect and condolences to the bereaved family, but there is this state interest that has to keep moving, and that is the investigation of the flood control. So we don’t want to intrude into their family affairs especially in this time of grief, pero mayroon din tayong interest na kailangan nating isulong dito sa nangyari Kaya we hope that, you know, with all the publicity going around, all we want is to preserve the integrity of the evidence that may be in these gadgets,” Clavano said.Despite Cabral’s death, Clavano said, “The civil forfeiture, ‘yung civil liability po niya, will stand despite the extinguishment of her criminal liability individually.”

Former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral was at the Office of the Ombudsman on December 3, two weeks before her death, for questioning in relation to the Ombudsman’s probe on flood control project anomalies, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral was at the Office of the Ombudsman on December 3, two weeks before her death, for questioning in relation to the Ombudsman’s probe on flood control project anomalies, according to Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano.

Cabral was at Office of the Ombudsman 2 weeks before death – Clavano

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Cabral was at Office of the Ombudsman 2 weeks before death – Clavano

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published Dec 19, 2025 05:18 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 19, 2025 05:19 PM PHT

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Catalina Cabral

DPWH

ombudsman

flood control

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