Ched Rick Gatchalian

DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral also attending the resumption of the House Infra Comm hearing into alleged anomalies in flood control projects.  Photo from Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Marcoleta calls out DPWH Usec. Cabral for allegedly lying

Victoria Tulad

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17574142152515--Z8qOcWQHVdTLh.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral also attending the resumption of the House Infra Comm hearing into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News " style="width:960px"/>DPWH Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral also attending the resumption of the House Infra Comm hearing into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. Vivienne Gulla, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA — Senator Rodante Marcoleta has criticized Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral for allegedly lying about not having a part in budget insertions.During the interpellation of Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson’s second privilege speech on anomalous flood control projects, Marcoleta said the former’s expose showed that Cabral had an active role.According to Lacson, Cabral texted a staff of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III after his oath taking as a newly-elected senator.Cabral supposedly offered to help Sotto if he wanted to put a project in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), which Sotto told his staff he won’t do.“Sinasabi para ma-i-align sa priorities at para maiwasan ang redundancy, siya na ang gagawa ng paraan,” Lacson said. “Sinabi na para maihabol o maisama na sa NEP. So nag-iimbita siya na magsumite kayo parang sinasabi 500 million pesos yata ibig sabihin ng 500 diyan eh. Kasi hindi naman malinaw. Pero ang sinabi 500 for now. Ibig sabihin for now sige magpasok kayo mga 500 million pesos worth of projects na sa inyo manggagaling. So ito po ang sinasabi natin na isang kamalian ng budgeting or budget process,” Lacson added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/ex-dpwh-engineer-tags-estrada-villanueva-in-alleged-flood-control-anomalies-1055">Ex-DPWH engineer tags Estrada, Villanueva in flood control anomalies; senators deny allegations</a></div>He criticized the alleged action of Cabral.“Yun pong NEP ay nasa budget preparation phase na kung saan exclusive domain ng executive branch pero bakit po dahil ganyan ang nangyayari eh mismong sa DPWH na nanggagaling na magpasok na kayo rito. Eh di ho ba pakikialam yun sa mandate o sa exclusive authority ng executive branch?” Lacson pointed out. Marcoleta recalled that in the hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, Cabral denied having a hand in replacing the ceiling of the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).“Sinabi ko bakit lumilitaw kahit anong ibigay na ceiling ng DBM pinapalitan mo. Ayaw po niyang aminin yun, wala raw po siyang kinalaman kung ang pag-uusapan ay yung paglilista. Ngayon po malinaw na malinaw na nagsisinungaling talaga siya sapagkat naipakita ko kahapon lalong lalo na po sa flood control projects, yun pong mga insertions aminin man niya’t hindi, ngayon po ay napatunayan na natin ay talagang siya po talaga yung gumagawa dahil siya po yung ang Undersecretary ng Planning Services,” Marcoleta stated.He also cited a DBM letter in July 2023 which told Cabral to strictly adhere to the ceilings given by DBM.“Napansin po ng DBM mula 2022 to 20223 pinapalitan niya hanggang sa 2024. Ayaw po niyang aminin na siya po ang may kinalamanan nun,” Marcoleta said. (4:07PM) “Ang dami pong gustong tumestigo na mayroon siyang sampung paboritong contractors.”“Mukhang yun pong mga kawani ng DPWH na matutunton natin at alam ko po na talagang tatagos ito hanggang sa former Secretary ng Department of Public Works,” Marcoleta added.  Marcoleta also wondered if there are bigger personalities behind contractors and government officials.“Wala po kayang mga politiko sa loob o sa likod nila? Sana po matukoy yung tunay na mga proponents para po yung walang kasalanan ay hindi po nadadamay,” Marcoleta said.He also revealed receiving a message from an alleged emissary from the lawyer of the Discayas earlier on Tuesday.“Meron po palang isang congressman kanina pong naghi-hearing sila, nakausap yung abogado ng Discaya, kailangan ika meron kayong matukoy na senador sapagkat mako-contempt kayo. Nasa akin po yung text message,” Marcoleta said.“Samakatuwid gusto lang nilang magpangalan. Hindi po mabuti yun. Kailangan po sa tulong na rin ni Senator Lacson, tutal naumpisahan na contractors, naumpisahan na itong mga kawani at opisyales ng DPWH na talagang kandidato na po talaga sa impiyerno, matukoy po talaga kung sino-sino po yung palaging kausap ni Usec. Cabral na sila po yung sindikato dito. Para po yung walang kasalanan ay huwag pong madamay,” Marcoleta continued.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/9/villanueva-denies-receiving-kickbacks-from-flood-control-projects-1557">&#x27;I will never betray my principle&#x27;: Villanueva denies receiving kickbacks from flood control projects</a></div>Lacson said he will submit the documents they gathered to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, which may help in the creation of the independent commission that will investigate the anomalous flood control projects.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta has criticized Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral for allegedly lying about not having a part in budget insertions.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta has criticized Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral for allegedly lying about not having a part in budget insertions.