Palace condoles with kin of ex-DPWH Usec. Cabral

By Brian Campued

Malacañang on Friday expressed its condolences to the family of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary for Planning and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Catalina Cabral.

Cabral was declared dead after allegedly falling from a cliff along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet on Thursday night.

“Nakikiramay po tayo sa pamilya na naiwan po ni former Usec. Catalina Cabral. At nakakalungkot po ang nangyari pero ‘yun po, muli nakikiramay po tayo,” Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro stressed that President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. respects the privacy of Cabral’s family during this difficult time and did not have any marching orders regarding investigations surrounding the former DPWH official’s death.

“Hindi na po kailangang iutos ito; mandato po ito ng PNP (Philippine National Police), ng SOCO (Scene of the Crime Operatives), ang malaman kung ano po ang nangyari,” she said.

“Nasa kamay po ito ng investigating bodies at sa ngayon ay hindi po ito nasa isip ng Pangulo at ng Palasyo dahil nakikiramay tayo sa pamilya ni Usec. Cabral,” she added.

While Cabral was implicated in issues surrounding anomalous flood control projects, Castro stressed that no charges have yet been filed against her.

On Nov. 4, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) asked the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Cabral and other DPWH officials for possible violations over an alleged ghost and unauthorized relocation of a flood control project in Plaridel, Bulacan.

The ICI invited Cabral in its last hearing on Dec. 15, but she did not confirm her attendance. She last appeared before the body on Sept. 24.

“Sa ngayon po ay wala pong kaso…Nasa kamay na po iyan ng mga mag-iimbestiga. So, sa ngayon po, wala pong kinakaharap na kaso si Usec. Cabral,” Castro said.

“Ginagalang po natin muna pansamantala ang pribadong buhay at ang pamilya po ni Usec. Cabral. Sa ngayon wala pong pinag-uutos ang Pangulo at muli walang kaso. At kung mayroon man pag-iimbestiga na gagawin, bahala na po, nasa kamay na po ito ng mga investigating bodies,” she added.

Meanwhile, the PNP has designated Cabral’s driver as a “person of interest” (POI) as probe into the late official’s death continues.

“Ayon sa investigation ng regional director ng PRO (Police Regional Office) – Cordillera, dahil labag daw po sa human nature na ‘yung principal or ‘yung VIP mo iiwan mo sa isang liblib na lugar, alam mo naman ‘yung bag at cellphone nasa sasakyan ninyo at kung bakit babalikan mo siya 1 to 2 hours,” PNP Public Information Office chief PBGen. Randulf Tuaño said.

Tuaño said acting PNP chief PLt.Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to take over the investigation to help the PRO-Cordillera.

“Ang directive ni Chief PNP Nartatez na bigyan ng 36 hours yung Cordillera PNP para tapusin yung kanilang investigation para ma-release yung driver sa pagiging POI niya,” Tuaño said in ambush interview.

The PNP said that Cabral’s family refused to have her body undergo an autopsy.

He assured that authorities are now studying what would be the other legal method to confirm whether the body recovered from the cliff along Kennon Road was Cabral. (with report from Ryan Lesigues / PTV News)

-jpv