Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon on Monday said he agrees with calls to make public the list of infrastructure projects allegedly inserted or endorsed by politicians in the agency’s previous budgets, which are believed to have been compiled by the late Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral.</p><p>But Dizon said these documents, including Cabral’s computer, must first undergo a forensic audit. </p><p>The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to begin the process soon, with assistance from the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group.</p><p>Dizon reiterated that copies of the so-called Cabral files which are currently circulating, such as those released by Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste did not go through proper authentication and were forcibly taken from Cabral’s office.</p><p>“Ang may basbas sakin, yung allocation per district. In fact open yun e. Nandyan yan sa lahat ng NEP (National Expenditure Program), GAA (General Appropriations Act). Pero yung pagkuha ng files na nakita niyo namang nilabas na nung mga dating staff ni Usec Cabral, at yung pagkuha ng files sa computer, walang basbas sa’kin yun,” he said.</p><p>As for the House Committee on Infrastructure’s plan to request copies of the so-called Cabral files for its own probe, Dizon said he will first coordinate with the Office of the Ombudsman since it is now considered the custodian of these documents.</p><p>“Kasi tama naman si Ombudsman nung sinabi niyang malay ba natin kung ano na ang mga files na lumalabas? Kailangan ma-establish muna natin kung ano ba talaga ang totoong mga files ni former Usec Cabral at kung ito ba ay nabago,” added Dizon.</p><p>Now as the DPWH begins to prepare its budget proposal for 2027, Dizon vowed to do away with the controversial allocable/non-allocable system of funding projects to eliminate opportunities for corruption.</p><p>“We will be ready with a new formula, with a new system of how we make sure that items in budgets are really projects that are absolutely necessary and are not just there because people want to steal money. Wala nang palakasan at singitan sa proyekto. Hindi porket inendorse ni ganito, ganyan, automatic nandoon na sa budget yun… Dapat lahat (ng magiging proyekto), may plano at endorsed ng development councils,” he said.</p><div><strong>MORE DPWH OFFICIALS FIRED</strong></div><p>Meanwhile, the internal cleansing at the agency also continues as more officials, including four Regional Directors, get sacked.</p><p>The latest batch to get the axe include:</p><div><strong>Regional Directors</strong></div><p>- Ronnel M. Tan (Region 1)</p><p>- Jovel G. Mendoza (Region 4A)</p><p>- Virgilio C. Eduarte (Region 5)</p><p>- Danilo Villa (Region 7)</p><div><strong>Assistant Regional Directors</strong></div><p>- Neil C. Farala (Region 4B)</p><p>- Annie S. Dela Vega (Region 5)</p><div><strong>District Engineers</strong></div><p>- Ruel V. Umali (Metro Manila 3rd District Engineering Office)</p><p>- Manny B. Bulusan (South Manila District Engineering Office)</p><div><strong>HAVE NOT MET CIVIL SERVICE QUALIFICATION STANDARDS</strong></div><div><strong>OIC Distrct Engineers</strong></div><p>- Sherylann Gonzales (La Union 1st DEO)</p><p>- Roy Pacanan (Iloilo City DEO)</p><p>- Peter Scheller Soco (Leyte 4th DEO)</p>

<p>Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the documents, including Cabral’s computer, must first undergo a forensic audit.</p>

Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon said the documents, including Cabral’s computer, must first undergo a forensic audit.

Dizon says ‘Cabral files’ need to undergo forensic audit

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Dizon says ‘Cabral files’ need to undergo forensic audit

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 12, 2026 11:12 PM PHT

Read More:

DPWH

Vince Dizon

Cabral files

Maria Catalina Cabral

Leandro Leviste

Ombudsman

forensic audit

Regional Directors

sacked

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