MANILA — Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina “Cathy” Cabral died of blunt traumatic injuries, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.

According to the medico-legal report, Cabral’s body was examined on December 20, a day after she was found unconscious in a ravine in Benguet.

The report concluded: “THE CAUSE OF DEATH IS BLUNT TRAUMATIC INJURIES TO THE HEAD, TRUNK, LEFT UPPER AND LOWER EXTREMITIES DUE TO FALL FROM THE HEIGHT.”

The examination revealed extensive injuries to her head, neck, torso, and extremities, including abrasions and contusions on her face, scalp hematomas, subdural hemorrhage, multiple fractured ribs, and fractures to her left humerus, femur, and ankle.

A separate toxicology report by the PNP found Cabral positive for anti-depressant drugs, specifically citalopram. Test tubes labeled “urine” and “vitreous” yielded positive results for the medication.

Cabral was found dead on December 19 in a Benguet ravine amid allegations of managing fraudulent flood control allocations and legislative insertions. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later confirmed that current investigation findings indicate she took her own life.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said investigators may request Ricardo Hernandez, Cabral’s driver, to undergo a polygraph test. NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari clarified that a polygraph is an investigative tool and “is not admissible as evidence”. Hernandez is not under NBI custody.

Hernandez told authorities that he and Cabral were traveling along Kennon Road toward La Union when she asked him to stop and leave her there. He later returned to the area but did not find Cabral. She was subsequently found unconscious along the side of Bued River, at least 20 meters below the highway.

Mallari said the NBI prefers to complete its investigation before commenting on findings by the Department of Interior and Local Government and the PNP, which suggested “no foul play” in Cabral’s death.