Senate panel to tackle Cabral files

THE SENATE Blue Ribbon Committee is set to tackle the so-called Cabral files, an alleged list of insertions and kickbacks, in its next hearing on anomalous flood control projects as it resumes next week, a senator said.

“On Monday, Jan. 19, we will resume the Blue Ribbon Committee hearings to further clarify some issues surrounding the flood control anomalies. Hence, we’d like to know more about the so-called Cabral Files,” Senator Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson, who heads the panel, told a news briefing.

The documents are alleged to be a ledger of budget insertions and infrastructure projects, as well as a purported list of kickbacks received by officials in government flood control and infrastructure projects, previously held by former Undersecretary Maria Catalina E. Cabral.

He added that the committee will issue a subpoena duces tecum to Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon to provide the alleged documents.

“(This is with) the end in view of consolidating all the files, including but not limited to what the late Undersecretary Cabral left before she died, that are confirmed to be in the possession of the department, and which the Blue Ribbon Committee needs to further enhance our inquiry and investigation,” Mr. Lacson said.

The DPWH last month submitted over a decade’s worth of records from the office of the late undersecretary to the Office of the Ombudsman.

He added that the panel will also invite Batangas Rep. Leandro Antonio L. Leviste, who previously claimed that the files were handed to him by the late DPWH official before she died.

The senator also claimed that former Public Works Secretary Manuel M. Bonoan provided false grid coordinates to the Presidential Palace.

“I have reliable information that former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan deliberately submitted to Malacañang incorrect grid coordinates of thousands of flood control projects all over the country,” Mr. Lacson said.

He added that this resulted in inaccurate data involving about 421 ghost projects and previously inspected flood control projects reported by the DPWH.

“They are now trying to rectify by comparing the records in their multi-year planning and scheduling, project and contract management application, and other related documents that remain intact and in the possession of the department,” he said.

The senator said the panel will issue a subpoena for Mr. Bonoan to compel to attend the Jan. 19 hearing. Should he fail to attend, he will be cited in contempt, Mr. Lacson said, adding an arrest warrant may be issued against Mr. Bonoan.

The former DPWH chief has been staying the United States since November. — Adrian H. Halili