Cabral allegedly attempted to take own life at home, lawyer says
- Maria Catalina Cabral allegedly attempted suici*de during the Senate hearings on flood control projects
- Her lawyer said the attempt happened days after she was implicated by a former DPWH official
- Cabral was reportedly dismissed from service and denied retirement pay after decades at DPWH
- Authorities are still determining whether her death along Kennon Road was a confirmed suici*de
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The late Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral reportedly attempted to take her own life while facing intense scrutiny over alleged flood control anomalies, according to her legal counsel.
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In an interview on Monday, lawyer Mae Divinagracia said Cabral’s first suici*de attempt happened during the period of Senate hearings into the controversial projects.
She explained that the incident occurred “some time or days after the hearing, when former [DPWH] Usec. [Roberto] Bernardo implicated her.”
Divinagracia recounted that Cabral initially tried to harm herself at home.
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“She tried to hurt herself with a knife, but the daughter was able to seize the knife from her,” she said.
She added that Cabral later jumped down the stairs inside their house.
During the hearings, Bernardo accused Cabral of controlling the DPWH National Expenditure Program under the leadership of former secretaries Manny Villar and Manuel Bonoan.
Divinagracia described the suici*de attempt as “just the tipping point,” stressing that the situation worsened after Cabral was removed from her post.
According to the lawyer, Cabral was “asked to tender her resignation” in the middle of the investigation after 40 years of service and was also “denied her retirement pay.”
On the day of her death, Cabral reportedly stopped multiple times along Kennon Road.
“Ms. Cabral considered two other destinations,” Divinagracia said, quoting the account of Cabral’s driver.
The lawyer noted that Cabral was “spiraling into depression,” citing changes in her behavior and routine.
However, Cabral was never clinically diagnosed because she “refused to seek professional help.”
“She didn’t want it on record that she was suffering from a mental illness, so there’s no clinical diagnosis,” Divinagracia added.
Cabral died on December 18 after falling into a 30-meter ravine along Kennon Road. The Philippine National Police said evidence points to suici*de, though findings are not yet conclusive.
In a previous report by KAMI, the Bureau of Customs was reported to be conducting a thorough review of the importation of roughly 40 luxury vehicles allegedly linked to the family of Sarah Discaya. The probe was launched after a viral interview surfaced online in which Discaya openly showcased their impressive collection of high-end cars, quickly catching the attention of both the public and government authorities. Following the interview, customs officials began examining importation records in detail, focusing on documents such as shipping papers and the identities of the declared consignees, to determine whether any customs laws or regulations may have been violated. In addition to the vehicle importation issue, Discaya has also been associated with contractors connected to flood control projects that are now under investigation by the Senate, further placing her name in the middle of ongoing public and legislative scrutiny. In a separate but related development, reports have also confirmed the death of former Department of Public Works and Highways Undersecretary Catalina Cabral, whose name had surfaced in discussions surrounding flood control controversies.
Meanwhile, veteran broadcaster Korina Sanchez-Roxas became a trending topic on social media after sharing a photo on her Instagram account during a recent visit to Disneyland. The image showed her posing in front of a palace-like attraction, which immediately caught the attention of netizens. Adding to the buzz was the caption she used, written in a lighthearted and playful tone. Korina opened her post with the line, "My P10 Million Palace," a phrase that many online users interpreted as a subtle and humorous nod to past allegations previously raised against her by Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto. The post drew mixed reactions, with some netizens amused by her apparent sense of humor, while others revisited the earlier controversy that inspired the reference.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
