The death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral has prompted renewed calls for transparency and accountability, as the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) formally seeks a comprehensive investigation to determine whether foul play was involved in her passing.

Cabral, a veteran public official who served the DPWH for more than four decades, was found unconscious and unresponsive on Thursday night, December 19, 2025, after allegedly falling into the Bued River along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 6, Tuba, Benguet. Authorities initially described the incident as a possible accident. However, given Cabral’s central role in controversial infrastructure projects now under scrutiny, her death has raised serious questions that, according to the ICI, demand an impartial and exhaustive probe.

ICI: “THE PUBLIC DESERVES THE TRUTH”

In a statement released on Friday, ICI Executive Director Atty. Brian Hosaka emphasized that the commission’s request for an investigation is not driven by speculation, but by the need to rule out any possibility of wrongdoing.

“The purpose of the probe is to ensure that there was no foul play involved in Undersecretary Cabral’s death,” Hosaka said. “Should authorities determine otherwise, it is possible that those responsible may also be connected to anomalous infrastructure projects.”

Hosaka stressed that Cabral’s former position as DPWH undersecretary for planning placed her at the center of policy decisions, budget allocations, and project approvals—particularly those involving flood control initiatives that have recently been linked to alleged irregularities amounting to billions of pesos.

Given these circumstances, the ICI believes that the public interest requires a swift, transparent, and credible investigation.

PRESERVATION OF DIGITAL AND DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE

One of the most significant steps requested by the ICI is the immediate securing and preservation of all documents and electronic devices belonging to Cabral.

“We therefore ask law enforcement agencies to immediately secure and preserve all her documents, gadgets, and computers for possible digital forensics examination,” Hosaka said.

This request underscores growing concern that critical information—such as emails, messages, call logs, and official files—may hold clues not only about the circumstances surrounding Cabral’s death, but also about ongoing investigations into questionable infrastructure projects.

Digital forensic analysis, experts note, could reveal communications leading up to her death, interactions with contractors or officials, and whether Cabral had expressed fear, pressure, or intent to disclose sensitive information.

A KEY FIGURE IN FLOOD CONTROL CONTROVERSIES

Cabral had become a familiar figure to the public in recent months due to her repeated appearances before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which has been probing alleged corruption within the DPWH—particularly involving flood control projects that were either overpriced, delayed, or allegedly non-existent.

These projects, designed to protect communities from increasingly severe flooding, have been at the center of public outrage, as critics argue that corruption may have directly endangered lives and livelihoods.

Cabral’s name surfaced in connection with these projects not as a minor official, but as a senior planner with institutional knowledge of how projects were conceptualized, funded, and implemented.

She resigned from her post in September 2025, a move widely interpreted as an attempt to distance herself from the mounting controversy. Still, her potential role as a witness—or source of critical information—remained significant.

MISSED HEARING, UNANSWERED QUESTIONS

Adding to the mystery surrounding her death is the fact that Cabral had been scheduled to attend a hearing before the ICI earlier this month. On Monday, just days before her death, it remained unconfirmed whether she would appear.

That absence, followed so closely by her sudden passing, has fueled speculation—though authorities caution against drawing conclusions without evidence.

The ICI has not stated whether Cabral was formally cooperating with investigators or had agreed to testify, but Hosaka acknowledged that her death represents a serious loss to the fact-finding process.

OFFICIAL VERSION VS. PUBLIC DOUBT

According to initial police reports, Cabral allegedly fell into the Bued River along a stretch of Kennon Road known for its steep ravines and limited visibility. Investigators have yet to release a full reconstruction of the incident or a detailed forensic report.

While accidents along mountain roads are not uncommon, critics argue that the context surrounding Cabral’s case sets it apart.

“She was not just any motorist,” said one governance analyst. “She was a former undersecretary linked to investigations involving massive public funds. That alone warrants a deeper look.”

CALLS FOR TRANSPARENCY GROW

Civil society groups and anti-corruption advocates have echoed the ICI’s call for a thorough investigation, warning that any perception of a cover-up could further erode public trust in government institutions.

They argue that determining whether Cabral’s death was accidental or criminal is not merely a personal matter—it is a national concern, especially if it intersects with allegations of systemic corruption.

CONDOLENCES — AND A DEMAND FOR ANSWERS

The ICI expressed its condolences to Cabral’s family and friends, acknowledging the gravity of their loss. At the same time, Hosaka emphasized that honoring her memory requires uncovering the truth, no matter where it leads.

As law enforcement agencies move forward with their inquiry, the nation watches closely. Whether the investigation confirms an accident or uncovers something far more troubling, the death of Maria Catalina Cabral has become a defining moment in the ongoing reckoning over corruption, accountability, and the rule of law in public infrastructure.

For now, one thing is clear: the questions surrounding her death will not simply fade away.