What we know so far: Death of ex-DPWH official Cathy Cabral

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MANILA, Philippines — The sudden death of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina "Cathy" Cabral has sent shockwaves through government, casting uncertainty over a sweeping corruption investigation into the country’s flood control projects.

Cabral was found unconscious on December 19 along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, shortly after parting ways with her driver.

On December 20, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed her death, citing autopsy results. Her remains were flown back to Manila later that evening.

Here’s what we know so far.

Driver’s point of view

Cabral’s driver, Ricardo Hernandez, said she asked him to stop the vehicle along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, around 3 p.m. on December 18 so she could get some fresh air or clear her mind by the mountainside, according to reports.

Hernandez said Cabral requested to be left alone and he assumed she was simply checking the surroundings or taking a short break. 

He claimed to have returned to the area around 5 p.m. to look for her but could no longer find Cabral, leaving her unaccounted for nearly two hours before her body was discovered near the Bued River at around 8 p.m.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has since identified Hernandez as a person of interest. 

According to authorities, his decision to leave Cabral alone in a remote area was inconsistent with expected conduct and it raised further questions as she had left her bag and cellphone behind. 

Hernandez is currently undergoing interrogation.

Husband’s account

Cabral’s husband, Cesar, said she had opted to “unwind” in Baguio City rather than appear anew before the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI), explaining that she wanted to “take the pressure off” her mind. Cabral first appeared before the ICI on September 24.

“Before she went to Baguio, she traveled to Batangas to unwind,” Cesar said in Filipino.

He recalled asking his wife why she did not attend the ICI hearing on the 15th despite having legal counsel. 

“I then asked her why she didn’t attend the ICI hearing on the 15th despite having a lawyer. She said, ‘Nothing. I don’t like how, sometimes, the ICI invites whoever it wants,’” Cesar recalled his late wife telling him.

According to Cesar, Cabral asked her driver to leave her alone at Camp 4 along Kennon Road at around 3 p.m. on Thursday. When Hernandez returned two hours later, she was no longer in the area.

In an ABS-CBN report aired on December 19, Cesar said their family believed the incident was purely accidental and initially did not intend for her remains to undergo an autopsy. 

Cabral’s family later agreed to the autopsy on December 20, which was confirmed by local police and DILG chief Remulla.

What autopsy reveals

Cabral died due to “blunt traumatic injury consistent with a fall,” according to an autopsy report released by the police on December 20.  

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said fingerprint comparison confirmed her identity and no foul play was detected.

The forensic examination, conducted by the Police Regional Office-Cordillera Administrative Region’s team early Saturday morning, documented multiple severe injuries, including fractures on the face, head, ribs and legs. Authorities noted there were no gunshot wounds, stab marks, ligature marks, or signs of a struggle.

Cabral’s husband witnessed the procedure, which the family initially opposed but later agreed to. Remulla said the official DNA report will be released soon, further confirming her identity as authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Hotel under scrutiny

Ion Hotel, where Cabral and her driver stayed on the morning before her death along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, has become a focus in the ongoing investigation.

Lawyer Perlita Chan-Rondez, who served as the hotel’s legal counsel for several years, formally resigned on December 20, citing the need to focus on her well-being. In a brief statement, she called her decision “irrevocable” and declined further comment.

Earlier, the hotel had refused to confirm or deny any guest information, citing strict compliance with the Data Privacy Act, but stressed that it is cooperating with authorities through proper legal channels.

On Saturday night, NBI-Cordillera agents, armed with a search warrant from the Regional Trial Court, sifted through hotel records and documents that may provide leads regarding Cabral’s death. 

As of now, the hotel has not publicly addressed the resignation of its legal counsel or confirmed any official connection with Cabral, amid reports that she had bought the property earlier this year but sold it to Benguet lawmaker Eric Go Yap. 

Government sources identify Engr. Dave Sanchez as the registered owner.

What happened before

Cabral had been at the center of allegations involving irregularities in DPWH’s financial planning.

Former Public Works Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo earlier accused Cabral of playing a pivotal role in the agency’s budgetary processes.

In his Senate testimony and sworn statements, Bernardo said that as head of planning, Cabral oversaw the allocation of infrastructure funds, particularly those earmarked for flood control projects.

Bernardo alleged that from 2023 to 2025, Cabral manipulated the National Expenditure Program (NEP) by appearing to distribute the entire budget while quietly setting aside substantial portions for projects favored by her and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan. Bonoan has yet to return to the country despite previously indicating he would do so by December 17.

Two weeks before her death, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said that Cabral was at the Office of the Ombudsman.

According to Clavano, she spoke to prosecutors, who observed that Cabral “lawyered up” and did not reveal much information.

The office also received reports that Cabral had a list of proponents or projects involved in alleged insertions.

RELATED: Cabral’s death puts probe in 'dangerous territory,' Ombudsman warns

What happens next

In a statement on Sunday, December 21, the PNP said it will prioritize securing evidence related to Cabral’s death.

RELATED: PNP to focus on securing evidence in Cabral’s death

PNP Chief Jose Melencio Nartatez noted that the case has become a matter of "national interest" due to Cabral's alleged role in the ongoing infrastructure probe.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice referred plunder complaints against Cabral to the Office of the Ombudsman on December 19. Prosecutor General Anthony Fadullon explained that her criminal liability has been extinguished following her death.

However, civil forfeiture of her assets may still proceed, Fadullon added. The cases involve alleged irregularities in flood control projects in Bulacan.

RELATED: DOJ: Forfeiture cases vs Cabral can still be pursued

Meanwhile, Rep. Leandro Leviste said on Sunday, December 21, he has documents from the late undersecretary detailing proponents of multi-billion-peso budget “insertions” in the DPWH.

The files, given to Leviste on DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon’s order, were shared with the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Ombudsman.

He said he will release them once he gets the DPWH’s approval.

— with reports from Mark Ernest Villeza and Artemio Dumlao