What is taking so long to verify ‘Cabral files?

Nearly two weeks after the existence Cabral files was unveiled, agencies have yet to confirm whether the files match official records. Philstar.com illustration

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Nearly two weeks have passed since Rep. Leandro Leviste (Batangas, 1st District) went public with the alleged “Cabral files,” yet appropriate agencies seem to be taking their time verifying their authenticity.

In a radio interview on Friday, January 2, human rights advocate and lawyer Erin Tañada questioned why the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has been slow in crosschecking the list of projects Leviste claims is in the copy given to him, despite having official copies themselves.

The documents, which Leviste said he obtained on September 4 from former DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, list names of lawmakers and executive officials who may have requested the agency for insertions through the 2025 national budget.

According to Leviste, every member of Congress is given the opportunity to propose at least P150 million in budget insertions with the DPWH each year.

While these allegations have fueled public perception of immediate corruption, Tañada said verifying the documents is necessary for transparency and for establishing the facts.

"The longer it takes, the more it makes people wonder why it's taking so long. After all, this is just a list. The DPWH has official records. They could just say, 'Oh, this is correct. Oh, this is wrong,'" he said over DZMM Teleradyo in a mix of English and Filipino.

The documents do not, by themselves, establish corruption, but only show which projects received funding and who may have proposed them, Tañada added.