Senator Marcoleta Challenges Leviste's Role in Cabral Files Explanation
Senator Rodante Marcoleta has raised serious questions regarding the capability of Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste to elucidate the contents of the controversial "Cabral Files" during the ongoing Senate investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects. The senator's remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of documents purportedly exposing irregularities in government infrastructure funding.
Doubts Over Leviste's Qualifications
According to Marcoleta, Leviste lacks the necessary "personality" or authority to testify about the substantive aspects of these documents. The senator emphasized that Leviste is not part of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and has no direct involvement in the preparation of reports, consolidation of records, or budget-related documentation. This raises concerns about the reliability and context of his testimony.
Marcoleta insisted that Leviste's testimony should be strictly limited to explaining how he obtained the documents, which are said to originate from the office of the late DPWH Undersecretary Catalina Cabral. From a legal standpoint, the senator argued that it is inappropriate for Leviste to interpret the files' content, as he lacks firsthand knowledge of their creation and purpose.
DPWH Officials' Reluctance and Senate Context
The senator also highlighted that several DPWH officials have declined to confirm the validity of the documents, adding another layer of uncertainty to the investigation. Marcoleta's comments followed a request from Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson, who asked Leviste to discuss a second batch of documents authenticated by the DPWH.
Leviste was among those invited to the Monday hearing of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which is probing the Cabral Files. These files allegedly reveal potential budget insertions in the 2025 national budget, sparking debates over transparency and accountability in public spending.
This development underscores the complexities of the Senate's inquiry, as lawmakers grapple with verifying document authenticity and determining who holds the expertise to provide credible explanations. The outcome could impact future oversight of infrastructure projects and budget allocations in the Philippines.
