The authenticity of the so-called “Cabral files” now rests with the Office of the Ombudsman, as questions persist nearly a month after the death of former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral.
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon said he will seek the Ombudsman’s permission to make the documents public, noting that they are now under its custody and subject to a forensic audit to determine if they were tampered with.
He clarified that only the allocations per district found in the National Expenditure Program and General Appropriations Act were authorized for release, and denied approving how other files were obtained.
Dizon said the Ombudsman and law enforcement agencies must first establish the veracity and authenticity of the documents before they can be compared with files released by Rep. Leandro Leviste.
Despite the controversy, Dizon stressed his support for full transparency and announced reforms in DPWH’s budgeting process, including scrapping the parametric formula and developing a new allocation system with civil society oversight.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 13, 2026
