Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste said the decision to publicly release alleged Department of Public Works and Highways insertion documents, known as the “Cabral files,” has been left to Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.
Leviste said the files were turned over to him by former DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral on Sept. 4. He said the handover came after Dizon spoke by phone with Cabral and instructed her to give the documents to him.
According to Leviste, the documents contain lists of proponents for flood control and other DPWH projects. He said the names include members of Congress, officials from the executive branch and private individuals.
The lawmaker said he has already presented the files to the Independent Commission for Infrastructure and the Office of the Ombudsman in November. He did not disclose further details about the contents of the documents, citing the pending decision on whether they should be made public.
Leviste said he opted to defer to Dizon on the matter of disclosure, noting that the documents involve the DPWH and alleged insertions linked to agency projects. He did not say when or how Dizon is expected to decide on the release of the files.
The DPWH has not issued a detailed public response regarding the contents of the alleged files as of the time of Leviste’s statement. No names listed in the documents have been formally charged or accused in court based solely on the existence of the files.
The Office of the Ombudsman and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure have not publicly commented on the status of their review of the documents presented by Leviste.
Leviste said his actions were intended to ensure that the proper institutions assess the documents and determine the appropriate next steps, including whether public disclosure is warranted.
