Malacañang has firmly placed the ball in the court of Batangas Representative Leandro Leviste, asserting that it is his “sole responsibility” to prove the authenticity of controversial budget documents allegedly sourced from the late Public Works Undersecretary Catalina Cabral.
The statement from the Palace comes as a direct response to Leviste’s recent challenge to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin (or “Castro” in related reports) to verify the legitimacy of documents that purportedly implicate high-ranking officials in multi-billion-peso budget insertions for 2025.
The “Burden of Proof” Conflict
In a briefing with Palace reporters, officials emphasized that the lawmaker cannot shift the duty of verification onto the executive branch. “He has started bragging about them, so it is his responsibility to prove their authenticity,” the statement read. The Palace expressed skepticism regarding the origin of the papers, noting that without verification, the documents could easily be “altered or fabricated.”
Legal experts and Palace representatives underscored a fundamental principle: before leveling accusations that shake the foundations of the national budget, the claimant must substantiate those claims with verified facts.
High-Stakes Allegations
Leviste recently sent shockwaves through the legislature by claiming that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) budget for 2025 has ballooned to a staggering P3.5 trillion. He alleged that the “Cabral files” contain a list of House members and senators—including his own mother, Senator Loren Legarda—who were involved in inserting these massive project funds.
These claims have met swift denials from both chambers of Congress. Lawmakers have challenged Leviste to produce the original files rather than relying on hearsay or unverified digital copies.
The Mystery of Undersecretary Cabral
The controversy is heightened by the tragic circumstances surrounding Catalina Cabral. As the official previously in charge of the DPWH annual budget, her insights would have been definitive. However, Cabral was found dead near the Bued River in Benguet last week following a fatal fall from a cliff.
With the primary source of the alleged documents deceased, the Palace maintains that Leviste must provide a clear “paper trail” to ensure the documents are not being used for political leverage.