The Philippine political landscape has been shaken to its core with the emergence of what is now being called the “Cabral List.” This controversial document, allegedly left behind by the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Catalina “Cathy” Cabral, is said to contain the “holy grail” of evidence regarding massive corruption within the government’s infrastructure projects. For weeks, rumors of this list have circulated in hushed tones, but recent revelations have brought the details into the blinding spotlight. The list reportedly names high-ranking officials, lawmakers, and even members of the First Family as “proponents” of billions of pesos worth of projects—many of which are suspected to be “ghost projects” or riddled with irregularities. The discovery of this list has transformed the tragic and mysterious death of Usec Cabral from a police matter into a full-blown national crisis.

One of the most shocking names to be dragged into this unfolding drama is that of Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong. Known publicly as a crusader against corruption and a straight-talking former police general, Magalong is now facing allegations of “pressuring” or “cornering” (gumipit) Usec Cabral in the days leading up to her untimely passing. The narrative suggests that Magalong, in his pursuit of exposing the “flood control scam,” may have aggressively squeezed Cabral for information, potentially putting her in a crossfire between those who wanted the truth and those who wanted her silence. The question now burning in the minds of the public is whether Magalong’s actions were purely in the interest of justice, or if his pressure contributed to the unbearable stress that led to the tragedy at Kennon Road. His involvement adds a complex layer to the story, blurring the lines between investigator and antagonist.

However, the biggest bombshell dropped by the release of this alleged list is the inclusion of Representative Sandro Marcos, the son of President Bongbong Marcos. Reports indicate that the list details a staggering disparity in the allocation of funds, with Sandro Marcos’s district allegedly receiving an eye-watering P15 billion in “allocable funds” or pork barrel-like insertions. This figure stands in stark contrast to other districts, such as that of Congressman Pulong Duterte, which reportedly received a mere fraction of that amount. The accusation that the presidential son is a major beneficiary of these funds has ignited a firestorm of criticism, reviving accusations of cronyism and nepotism. Critics are demanding to know where this money went, especially as the Ilocos region—and the country at large—continues to grapple with infrastructure failures.

The “Cabral List” is not just a list of names; it is a roadmap to the “flood control scam” that has plagued the nation. The document reportedly details how billions were earmarked for flood mitigation projects that either never materialized or were substandard, leaving millions of Filipinos vulnerable to disasters. It exposes the system of “insertions” in the National Expenditure Program (NEP), where politicians allegedly secure funding for pet projects before the budget is even submitted to Congress. Usec Cabral, as the gatekeeper of this information, held the power to bring down powerful figures. Her knowledge of who was asking for what, and how much, made her a liability to those enriching themselves at the public’s expense.

The implications of this list are terrifying. It suggests that Usec Cabral’s tragic fate was not an isolated incident but a direct consequence of the secrets she held. The “pressure” she faced wasn’t just professional stress; it was the weight of a multi-billion peso criminal enterprise crashing down on her. As the Ombudsman and the NBI dig deeper into her digital files and the physical documents she left behind, the public is clamoring for accountability. They want to know who ordered the “pressure,” who benefited from the billions, and who ultimately is responsible for the culture of corruption that cost a public servant her life. The “Cabral List” has opened Pandora’s Box, and closing it will require nothing less than total transparency and swift justice.