Authorities are investigating the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, who was found early Friday beside the Bued River in Benguet following an apparent fall along Kennon Road.
Police said Cabral was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” roughly 20 to 30 meters below the highway. Tuba Municipal Station chief Police Major Peter Camsol confirmed that a municipal doctor pronounced her dead at the scene at 12:03 a.m. on Friday.
Based on police accounts, Cabral and her driver were traveling toward La Union at around 3:00 p.m. Thursday when she asked to stop at Maramal, Camp 5, Camp 4, along Kennon Road and requested to be left there. The driver returned to the area around 5:00 p.m. but could not locate her. After additional attempts to find Cabral failed, he sought police assistance at approximately 7:00 p.m., prompting a search that later led to the discovery of her body.
The DPWH acknowledged Cabral’s passing in a statement issued Friday, describing her decades-long service to the agency. “Undersecretary Cabral served the Department for more than 40 years, and her loss will be mourned throughout the organization,” the department said.
The agency also appealed for sensitivity as the family grieves. “We recognize the profound loss the family is facing and offer our sincerest prayers. The Department urges everyone to respect the family’s need for privacy as they mourn and come to terms with the sudden loss,” the DPWH said, adding, “We thank you for your compassion and understanding.”
Cabral, a veteran public servant, was previously cited as a “model” for “Women in Infrastructure.” She stepped down from her post in September amid congressional probes into questioned flood control projects and alleged kickbacks involving lawmakers and government officials.
Earlier this month, Independent Commission for Infrastructure spokesperson Brian Hosaka said on Dec. 11 that the ICI planned to invite Cabral as a resource person in its inquiry into alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects.
