MANILA: The late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral reportedly attempted suicide at home amid the probe into flood control projects, her lawyer revealed on Monday (Jan 5).
Cabral’s first attempt occurred during the hearings, “some time or days after the hearing, when former [DPWH] Usec. [Roberto] Bernardo implicated her,” Atty Mae Divinagracia said in an ANC interview.
“She tried to hurt herself with a knife, but the daughter was able to seize the knife from her. And then she jumped off stairs in their home,” she added.
During the Senate hearings on the flood control anomalies, former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo accused Cabral of having control over the DPWH National Expenditure Program under the leadership of former secretaries Manny Villar and Manuel Bonoan.
Divinagracia described Cabral’s first suicide attempt as “just the tipping point,” saying, “What really started it was when she was summarily dismissed under the guise of a courtesy resignation.”
Cabral was allegedly “asked to tender her resignation” in the middle of the investigation after 40 years of service at the DPWH and was also “denied her retirement pay.”
On the day of Cabral’s death, she stepped out of her vehicle twice along Kennon Road, seemingly checking the ravines, Divinagracia said, quoting Cabral’s driver.
“Cabral considered two other destinations. They stopped at two prior points along Kennon Road. She was checking the height and depth of the ravine… But they really stayed only at the third destination,” the lawyer said.
Cabral was also observed “spiralling into depression,” citing that she had a low appetite and would call Divinagracia early in the morning for things that had already been discussed. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
