The Office of the Ombudsman confirmed that Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste did not turn over the complete set of documents known as the “Cabral files,” which he previously said were in his possession.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said investigators approached Leviste while former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral was still alive and represented by legal counsel. During the engagement, Clavano said Leviste presented only limited portions of a list and responded to specific questions but did not submit the full set of files, despite requests from investigators.
Clavano said the situation raises questions on transparency and the credibility of claims that the documents being circulated are complete. He also warned that soft copies of files, including Word or Excel documents circulating outside official custody, lose evidentiary credibility and cannot be considered conclusive proof without verification and an original source.
The Ombudsman further clarified that so-called project insertions are not automatically illegal and only become criminal if linked to fraud, misuse of funds, or ghost projects. Clavano said the “Cabral files” form only part of a broader investigation, stressing that the goal is to establish facts.
The Office of the Ombudsman said Cabral’s CPU has been sealed and is now under its custody. The device will undergo forensic examination by the Commission on Audit, DPWH, and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group.
In a statement issued shortly after Clavano’s remarks, Leviste disputed the claim that he failed to present the files when asked. He said he showed investigators a DPWH summary and an Excel spreadsheet of the 2025 National Expenditure Program during a Nov. 26 meeting in his congressional office.
Leviste said he invited investigators to review the files further but claimed their questions focused on projects linked to another lawmaker. He reiterated that he has repeatedly called on authorities to examine and compare all available copies of the files to establish their authenticity.
