A newly surfaced dashcam video obtained by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has pushed the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral back into the center of national attention. The footage, timestamped at 3:26 p.m., is now believed by authorities to be the last visual record of Cabral alive—and it has intensified both public debate and political controversy surrounding her death.
According to investigators, the video shows Cabral alone, seated below the road level, between two concrete safety barriers along Cannon Road in Benguet. Unlike earlier images where she appeared standing or sitting on top of the barriers, this time her position was markedly different—lower, isolated, and without her vehicle or any other person in sight.
“This is very substantial,” an NBI official said. “This dashcam footage shows Undersecretary Cabral sitting alone at the lowest point near the barriers. There was no one with her. No other vehicle. This strongly supports the finding that she was alone at the time she was last seen alive.”
A Timeline That Now Fits Together
The dashcam footage aligns with the official timeline earlier laid out by authorities. On December 18, CCTV cameras captured Cabral arriving at a hotel in Baguio City with her driver earlier in the afternoon. Later footage showed her leaving the hotel again with the same driver at around 2:47 p.m.
The driver would later tell investigators that Cabral asked to be dropped off along Cannon Road, saying she wanted to “relax for a while.” He reportedly parked nearby at a gas station, about 100 meters away. When he returned, Cabral was gone.
By 5:00 p.m., CCTV footage captured the driver returning alone to the hotel, visibly searching for Cabral. When she did not return, he eventually reported her missing. That evening, authorities began a search. Her body was later found at the bottom of a ravine.
The newly released dashcam video, taken at 3:26 p.m., now fills a critical gap—placing Cabral alone at the exact location where she would later fall.
Autopsy and Toxicology Findings
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Regional Forensic Unit confirmed that Cabral tested positive for a type of antidepressant, based on toxicology results. Investigators also found medication for insomnia in her hotel room.
Medical experts explained that such medications can indicate prolonged stress, sleep deprivation, and depression. Some specialists noted that certain antidepressants may have side effects that affect judgment, especially when combined with exhaustion or emotional strain.
The autopsy showed severe blunt-force trauma, including shattered ribs, fractures to the limbs, and extensive facial injuries—findings consistent with a high-impact fall. There were no signs of struggle, no defensive wounds, and no evidence of physical assault. Authorities have repeatedly stated that foul play has been ruled out.
“She Was Already Below the Barrier”
What has unsettled many observers is Cabral’s posture in the final dashcam frame. Analysts noted that being seated between the concrete barriers—rather than on top—placed her closer to the ravine.
“In earlier photos, she was sitting or standing on the barrier,” one commentator said. “But here, she’s already below it. That position suggests preparation. It suggests finality.”
Authorities have been careful with their language, but several officials acknowledged that the footage strengthens the conclusion that Cabral’s death was self-inflicted.
Political Undercurrents and Unfinished Questions
Despite the forensic findings, the case has not remained purely a matter of personal tragedy. Batangas First District Representative Leandro Leviste publicly expressed regret that Cabral was not made a state witness, claiming she possessed documents allegedly linked to irregularities in flood control and DPWH budget allocations.
Leviste revealed that he had previously turned over files he said came from Cabral’s office to the PCIJ, the Ombudsman, and the Integrity Committee months before her death. Malacañang, however, dismissed his claims, describing the documents as hearsay unless formally authenticated.
The political backdrop has fueled speculation, even as authorities insist there is no evidence linking Cabral’s death to external threats or coercion.
Safety Measures After the Tragedy
Following the incident, police installed warning signage and no-stopping notices along the portion of Cannon Road where Cabral was last seen. Officials said the move was necessary due to the growing number of onlookers stopping to take photos, creating dangerous traffic conditions along the narrow mountain road.
A Death That Closed One Door—and Opened Many Others
For the government, attention is now shifting to the question of alleged ill-gotten wealth reportedly linked to Cabral. Interior officials have publicly estimated that the amount could reach tens of billions of pesos, though they stressed this remains under investigation.
Legal experts have explained that while criminal liability ends with death, the state may still pursue civil forfeiture proceedings to recover assets suspected to have been acquired unlawfully—regardless of whether the accused is alive.
The Final Image That Will Not Fade
The dashcam frame at 3:26 p.m.—Cabral alone, seated between concrete barriers, facing a steep drop—has become the defining image of her final moments. For some, it confirms a narrative of overwhelming pressure and personal collapse. For others, it is a stark symbol of the heavy cost of power, controversy, and isolation.
What remains undeniable is this: the final video did not silence the questions—it amplified them. And as investigations continue on parallel fronts, the story of Catalina Cabral stands as one of the most haunting intersections of politics, mental health, and tragedy in recent Philippine history.
