MANILA, Philippines – Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral died after allegedly falling from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, police said Thursday night, December 18.
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| Photo courtesy: PTV Cordillera |
According to an initial investigation led by Tuba Municipal Police Station officer of the day Capt. Leobert Cadingan, Cabral left Baguio City Thursday afternoon with her driver, 56-year-old Ricardo Muños Hernandez, and was headed toward the lowlands.
The Benguet Police Provincial Office said Cabral was traveling toward La Union at around 3 p.m. when she asked the driver to stop at the Maramal area of Camp 5, Camp 4, and requested to be left there.
Hernandez told police he proceeded to a nearby gasoline station after Cabral dismissed him and returned to the area around 5 p.m. but was unable to locate her.
Police said the driver searched the vicinity and later went to a hotel in Baguio City where Cabral had been staying, but again failed to find her.
He returned to the Kennon Road area at around 7 p.m. and, after still failing to locate Cabral, reported the incident to authorities.
Search and rescue teams later found Cabral and the vehicle along the Bued River, an estimated 20 to 30 meters below the highway.
After being recovered from the ravine, Cabral was brought to the Benguet General Hospital and Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 12:03 a.m. Friday.
Camsol said the remains of the former DPWH official were subsequently transferred to a funeral home.
Authorities coordinated the incident with the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) team and the Benguet Provincial Forensic Unit as the investigation continues.
Cabral was among former DPWH officials accused of facilitating budget insertions or “allocables” through the National Expenditure Program and had been recommended for administrative charges.
Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo has also alleged that Cabral was involved in a kickback scheme linked to substandard and ghost flood control projects that allegedly benefited lawmakers and public officials.
Just last week, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure issued a subpoena ordering Cabral to attend its hearings, but police said she had not appeared before the panel prior to the incident.
The Office of the Ombudsman has directed Benguet authorities to secure Cabral’s cellphone and other gadgets found beside her after she was discovered unconscious and unresponsive Thursday night, according to Ombudsman spokesperson Mico Clavano.
DPWH Statement
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) extends its deepest condolences to the family of former Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral during this very difficult time.
Undersecretary Cabral served the Department for more than 40 years, and her loss will be mourned throughout the organization.
The Department recognizes the profound loss the family is facing and offers its sincerest prayers.
DPWH urges everyone to respect the family’s need for privacy as they mourn and come to terms with the sudden loss.
The Department thanks the public for their compassion and understanding.
— The Summit Express