The Senate Blue Ribbon Committee has issued a subpoena against former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral for skipping the committee hearing on Thursday, September 18.
Senator Rodante Marcoleta questioned Cabral’s absence during the hearing, stating that they have yet to ask the latter personal questions related to their investigation.
In response, DPWH Secretary Dizon informed the committee that he accepted Cabral’s courtesy resignation two nights ago. Moreover, the latter was said to have written a latter addressed to the committee to inform them of her resignation and had also requested not to attend the scheduled probe.
Despite this, Dizon emphasized, “Even if she is a private citizen and no longer a part of the DPWH, I’m sure [that] if the Committee will require [her] to attend, she must still attend. But now no longer as a[n] official of the DPWH, but as a private citizen.”
Marcoleta then motioned to the Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, indicating that Cabral’s resignation would hinder her from fulfilling her responsibilities. In addition, Marcoleta brought up Lacson’s exposé, detailing Cabral’s text message to a senator.
“It is something that we need to properly process. It is something that is probably within the heart of the system of the DPWH. Kahit na mag resign po siya, it will not matter to us. There are personal questions that we need to ask,” Marcoleta expressed.
With this, Marcoleta motioned to issue a subpoena against Cabral, a move later approved by the Committee Chairman.
While Cabral is no longer with the DPWH, Dizon assured that this will not hinder them from continuing their internal investigations on finding out who should be held liable for the “clear crimes” that were committed against the Filipinos.
“We have been very clear in the new leadership of the DPWH that this does not in any way stop us from continuing our internal investigations on finding out who should be liable for the clear crimes that have been committed against our people,” he assured.
“We will continue that investigation regardless of whether she or anyone else will no longer be a part of the DPWH,” he added.
