Senate Blue Ribbon Committee Subpoenas Former DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral Amid Flood Control Probe

The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Thursday, September 18, issued a subpoena for former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Catalina Cabral after she repeatedly failed to attend hearings regarding alleged anomalies in flood control projects.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta raised concerns about Cabral's absence during the committee's resumed session, questioning why she was not present despite being summoned. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon informed the panel that he had accepted Cabral's courtesy resignation two nights prior. He clarified, however, that the committee could still compel her attendance in the hearings as a private citizen rather than a government official.

"I want to inform the body that I officially accepted the courtesy resignation of Undersecretary Cabral two nights ago. And I believe, Mr. Chairman, that I think she wrote a letter. She informed me by message late last night that she had written the committee to inform her of that, to inform the committee of her, of the acceptance of her courtesy resignation and thus I think requested not to attend," Dizon said.

"But of course, even if she is now just a private citizen and no longer part of the DPWH, I'm sure if the committee will require her to attend, she still must attend. But now no longer as an official of the DPWH," he added.

Nonetheless, Senator Marcoleta maintained that resignation does not exempt Cabral from accountability as a former DPWH official. He emphasized the importance of addressing personal questions directly related to her role.

In a privilege speech, Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson recalled that Cabral reportedly messaged Senate President Vicente Sotto III, asking what he wished to be included in the 2026 National Expenditure Program after his electoral victory in May 2026. Sotto confirmed receiving such a text.

Marcoleta remarked, "I don't think her resignation will shield her from her responsibility. There are personal questions that we need to ask her. More particularly, Mr. Chair, your own expose, I still recall in your last privilege speech, her text message to Senator Sotto is very damning."

"It is something we need to properly process. It is probably within the heart of the DPWH system. So even if she resigns, it will not matter to us. There are personal questions that we must pursue," he continued.

Lacson agreed with the motion to subpoena Cabral, which was seconded by Senator Erwin Tulfo. With no objections, Lacson, as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, approved the issuance of the subpoena.

Previously, during a hearing conducted by the House Committee on Public Works and Highways, Cabral acknowledged the implementation of P51-billion infrastructure projects in the 1st District of Davao City over the last three years of former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.