MANILA, Philippines — Public Works and Highways Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed Thursday that he has accepted the courtesy resignation of Undersecretary Cathy Cabral, who has been linked to alleged budget insertions in the agency.
Dizon told the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee which is investigating irregularities in flood control projects that Cabral submitted her resignation on September 14. The development came as Cabral skipped the Senate hearing for the first time, although she previously attended a House probe on flood control on September 9.
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who hads the committee, earlier accused Cabral of reaching out to the office of Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III shortly after the May 2025 elections to inquire about possible budget insertions in the proposed 2026 national budget.
Lacson presented a screenshot of the alleged conversation between Cabral and Sotto’s staff in a privileged speech last week.
Following her absence at Thursday’s proceedings, the Senate panel issued a subpoena ordering Cabral to attend future hearings.
