QUEZON CITY—House Committee on Public Accounts Chairperson and Bicol Party-list Representative Terry Ridon warned that Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Legarda-Leviste could face an ethics complaint following allegations of illegally obtaining the "Cabral Files." 

These records, belonging to late Public Works and Highways Secretary Catalina Cabral, were reportedly copied and distributed by Leviste. 

Ridon emphasized that Leviste must be held accountable and investigated to determine how he accessed the documents and whether he truly had the authority he claimed to possess.

The controversy intensified after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon twice issued a flat denial regarding Leviste’s claims of authorization. 

"Si Secretary Dizon na po mismo ang nagsabi, twice or thrice, flatly denying giving any authority to Congressman Leviste.” Ridon noted. 

["Secretary Dizon himself said it, twice or thrice, flatly denying giving any authority to Congressman Leviste."]

While the contents of the files remain a separate issue to be addressed, the House leadership is currently focused on the potential breach of protocol and misrepresentation of authority by a sitting member according to the Bicol Saro Representative.

“Mahalaga rin po sa Kamara yung pamamaraan kung paano nakuha itong mga files na ito.” Congressman Ridon added.

["The House also places great importance on the method by which these files were obtained."]

For now, the chamber awaits formal action from relevant bodies to determine if a full-scale ethics investigation is warranted based on the evidence of how the sensitive DPWH records were handled.

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