Ex-DPWH Usec. Cabral skips ICI’s final hearing for 2025

Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral skipped the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI)’s hearing on Monday, Dec. 15—the fact-finding body’s last hearing for 2025.

Cabral, who has been implicated in the alleged budget insertions and kickbacks tied to anomalous flood control projects, had not confirmed her attendance, said ICI Spokesperson Brian Keith Hosaka.

The ICI issued a subpoena against Cabral on Thursday, Dec. 11.

Former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernando previously alleged that Cabral was responsible for allocating the department’s allocable National Expenditure Program (NEP) from 2023 to 2025.

Bernardo alleged that Cabral reserved a significant portion of the department’s allocable funds for her and former DPWH Secretary Manuel Bonoan’s preferred projects, while making it appear that 100 percent of the budget had still been distributed.