Bicol Saro Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon on Tuesday questioned how Batangas 1st District Rep. Leandro Leviste obtained documents belonging to the late Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Ma. Catalina Cabral, amid conflicting claims over authorization.
Ridon’s remarks came after DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon categorically denied that he authenticated or authorized the release of any documents to Leviste.
“Importante na malaman natin kung tama ba, legal ba, ilegal ba ‘yung paguha ni Cong. Leviste sa mga file na ito [Cabral files],” Ridon said in an exclusive interview in dzRH's Dos Por Dos.
According to Ridon, Leviste has repeatedly claimed since the controversy began that he had official authority from Dizon to secure the so-called “Cabral files.” However, Ridon noted that Dizon has "flatly rejected" this claim in recent interviews.
“Paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Cong. Leviste sa kanyang mga pahayag mula umpisa ay io pong bagay na ito ay mayroon daw siyang official authority from Secretary Vince Dizon sa pagkuha ng files na iyon. Pero in the last couple of days ano ang nakita. Talagang mayroong flat rejection si Sec. Dizon na wala siyang binigyan na authority kay cong. Leviste dito sa bagay na ito,” Ridon said.
Ridon emphasized that the issue must be clarified on the record, particularly on two points: whether Leviste indeed had special authority to obtain the documents, and what exact process was followed in acquiring them.
Ridon explained that any formal investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman would rely primarily on the official submissions made by Cabral to the DPWH and the Ombudsman, not on files allegedly transferred to a private individual or lawmaker.
Possible Ethics Complaint
Ridon said Leviste could potentially face an ethics complaint in Congress, citing serious allegations made by two DPWH employees who testified about Leviste’s actions on the day the files were allegedly taken.
"Sa bahagi ng Kongreso, syempre ang ethics complaint lang ang mayroong kaming kapangyarihan. Ibig sabihin pwedeng magkaroon ng reprimand, suspension at iba pang mga penalties dito sa bagay na ito kung ang tingin ng Kongreso ay hindi katanggap-tanggap na ganyan ang ginagawa ng isang Kongresista sa usapin ng pagkuha ng mga dokumento," he emphasized.
He added that the DPWH employees under Cabral could shed light on whether the documents were obtained as hard copies or soft copies, and whether the materials publicly disclosed by Leviste were complete and accurate.
Under congressional rules, Ridon said the House of Representatives’ authority is limited to ethics proceedings, which could result in reprimand, suspension, or other penalties if lawmakers find Leviste’s actions unacceptable.
Ridon also called on all parties in possession of documents related to the controversy to release them in full, rather than in fragments.
“Just because we wanted to know the truth. Kailangan maging malinaw din tayo na, kailangan kapag katotohanan ‘yung gusto nating ilabas dapat ‘yung buong katotohanan ang ilalabas natin. Hindi ‘ung parang patchi-patchi, na parang weaponize yung isa-isa yung paglalabas ng detalye,” the lawmaker noted.
He noted that after nearly a week of public debate, key information—such as a complete list of senators allegedly involved—has yet to be made public.
“Mag-iisang linggo na tayong nagdedebate dito sa Cabral’s files pero sa araw na ito hindi natin nakikita ang listahan ng mga senador," he said.
“Ang panawagan natin sa lahat ng may hawak ng dokumento, ilabas niyo na ng buo ‘yan, huwag niyong ilabas ng paisa-isa para talagang magkaalaman sino ‘yong meron, sino’ng wala [insertions], at sino’ng nagsasabi ng totoo,” Ridon added.
Ridon said Leviste’s credibility is now under question, particularly because his claim of authorization directly contradicts Dizon’s statements.
“Si Sec. Dizon in two separate interview already sinabi niya na he had never provided authority to Leviste on this particular matter. Doon palang may problema na ang kredibilidad ni Cong. Leviste," he pointed out.
