Driver of former DPWH Usec. Cabral now a person of interest—police

The driver of former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral is now considered a person of interest after the latter’s sudden death from an alleged fall in Benguet.

Cabral allegedly fell to her death along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, on Thursday evening, Dec. 18.

In an interview with the media the following day, Dec. 19, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said that her driver, Ricardo Hernandez, 56, is now a POI in the case. (Lawyer Ted Te told PhilSTAR L!fe in a previous interview that a person of interest is "someone the police think may have relevance to the case—possibly as a witness, an informant, or maybe a suspect.")

“Dahil labag daw po sa human nature na 'yung principal or 'yung VIP mo, iiwanan mo siya sa liblib na lugar. Alam mo naman na 'yung bag at 'yung cellphone ay nasa sasakyan ninyo. Bakit babalikan mo sya after one or two hours? Hindi mo ba inisip na paano ka macocontact kung saka-sakali?" he told reporters.

According to Benguet Police, Cabral and Hernandez were on their way to La Union at around 3 p.m. when they made a stopover along Kennon Road where Cabral requested to be left alone.

The driver said he went to a nearby gasoline station before returning to the area at around 5 p.m., but Cabral was nowhere in sight.

Hernandez searched all around the area before going to Cabral's hotel in Baguio City, but did not find her there. He reported the incident to the police at around 7 p.m.

Authorities later found Cabral lifeless below the highway along a riverbank before being retrieved.

ICI seeks investigation into Cabral's death

The Independent Commission for Infrastructure, which is tasked to look into irregularities in flood control projects, is calling for an investigation into Cabral's death, noting that she was "one of the central figures" in the corruption scandal.

"As the former undersecretary for planning, she was no doubt privy to vital information," it said.

The ICI also asked local authorities to preserve her documents and gadgets for possible digital forensics examination.

"The commission likewise calls for a prompt and thorough investigation of the death of Usec. Cabral to ensure that there is no foul play. Should authorities determine one, it is possible that those responsible may also be connected to the anomalous infrastructure projects," it added.

Cabral is one of the former DPWH officials accused of facilitating budget insertions through the National Expenditure Program by way of substandard and ghost projects and is facing administrative charges.

Former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo alleged that Cabral is involved in kickbacks that benefited several public officials.

Last week, the ICI issued a subpoena for Cabral, but she didn't show up in the hearings.