Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral was declared dead at around 12:03 a.m. on Friday, December 19, authorities said.

In a report by Romy Gonzales, the Benguet Provincial Police Office confirmed that Cabral allegedly fell into the Bued River along Kennon Road in Barangay Camp 6, Tuba, Benguet on Thursday evening.

According to the statement of Cabral’s driver, they were traveling along Kennon Road on their way to La Union when Cabral asked to be dropped off at around 3:00 p.m. She allegedly instructed the driver to leave, prompting him to stop at a nearby gasoline station. When the driver returned to look for her at around 5:00 p.m., Cabral was no longer there.

The driver sought assistance from authorities, triggering a search and retrieval operation. At around 8:00 p.m., Cabral’s body was found along the Bued River, estimated to be about 20 to 30 meters below the highway. She was found unconscious and was later declared dead.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Ombudsman ordered authorities to secure and preserve her personal belongings, including her mobile phone, for investigation.

Authorities are still determining whether the incident was a case of suicide or if foul play was involved.

In September 2025, Cabral stepped down from her post amid controversy over alleged irregularities in government-funded flood control projects.