MANILA — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has uncovered millions worth of insurance and bank withdrawals linked to the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral and her children, transactions that coincided with the height of the flood control scandal in 2025.

According to an exclusive report, the AMLC investigation revealed that from July to December 2025, Cabral and her family carried out substantial financial movements, including large insurance-related transactions and over-the-counter withdrawals. These were flagged as possible indicators of wealth preservation and intergenerational transfer.

Court of Appeals records show that on March 2, 2026, a freeze order was issued against Cabral’s assets, covering 31 bank accounts, 25 insurance policies, and six motor vehicles. The AMLC noted that Cabral’s financial activities surged after she assumed her post as DPWH undersecretary, with her children also recording unusually large transactions between 2022 and 2025.

Data from the AMLC indicated that Cabral’s eldest daughter, Stephanie, made seven transactions amounting to ₱37.7 million in outflows between December 2024 and October 2025. Her youngest daughter, Colleen, recorded 10 transactions worth over ₱92 million, nine of which occurred in 2024 and 2025. Investigators highlighted that the financial profile and lawful income sources of the siblings did not match the scale of their transactions.

Cabral herself was found to have withdrawn ₱33.7 million out of ₱45.5 million in over-the-counter transactions during her tenure. These revelations followed earlier testimony from former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, now under the Witness Protection Program, who alleged that Cabral coordinated with legislators regarding project allocations and budget titles.

The Department of Justice clarified that while Cabral’s death absolves her of criminal liability, civil forfeiture cases may still be pursued to recover assets deemed ill-gotten. Legal representatives of Cabral declined to comment, citing provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.

The findings intensify scrutiny of the DPWH flood control scandal, raising questions about accountability and the preservation of public funds. The AMLC’s probe continues, with the government signaling its intent to pursue civil remedies despite Cabral’s passing.