MANILA, Philippines — The family of former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral said calls to seize her personal effects, including her phone, were unwarranted, noting that no legal complaints had been filed against her. In an official statement issued by Cabral’s legal counsel, Mae Divinagracia of Co & Divinagracia Law Offices on Saturday, the family appealed for compassion and restraint following her sudden passing, urging the public to allow them time and space to grieve. “Her family is confronting an overwhelming loss under painful and sensitive circumstances, and they ask for the time, space, and privacy to grieve and mourn in peace,” the statement read. It stressed that any steps taken following her death should respect personal boundaries and sensitivity, warning against actions or speculations that may further distress the family. The statement also pushed back against claims suggesting that Cabral staged her death, calling such insinuations “insensitive, inappropriate, utterly reckless and baseless.” The family requested the prompt release of her remains so they could conduct private funeral arrangements. Cabral’s legal team highlighted her decades-long public service and her consistent denial of involvement in alleged anomalies in flood control projects. The statement criticized former DPWH undersecretary Roberto Bernardo, whose accusations against Cabral, it said, remained uncorroborated. “She had voluntarily appeared and participated in inquiries conducted not only by the ICI, but also by other investigative bodies, including the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, the House of Representatives’ Infrastructure Committee, and the Office of the Ombudsman,” Divinagracia said. Cabral was unable to attend the ICI hearing on Dec. 15, 2025, as she had not received official communication regarding the proceedings. The family asked that Cabral be remembered with fairness and compassion, emphasizing her long-standing dedication to public service and calling on the public to respect their privacy during this period of mourning.