By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A group of Catholic priests and private individuals has filed plunder and graft complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. over government-funded projects they allege are worth more than ₱1.4 billion and are connected to the lawmaker’s family.
The complaints accuse Momo and several others of using public office to benefit Surigao La Suerte Corporation (SLSC). This construction firm has repeatedly won public-works contracts in the Caraga region.
The complainants claim that while Momo now insists he has divested from the company, members of his immediate family remain as shareholders, creating a conflict of interest in the award of infrastructure projects.
Details of the filing were first reported by ABS-CBN News.
Alleged links to contractor
In their sworn statements, the complainants say corporate records from the Securities and Exchange Commission show that as of 2019, Momo and his relatives still held shares in SLSC.
They allege that the lawmaker only divested after that date and that his wife, children and even a grandson continued to appear as stockholders despite the company’s sustained participation in government projects.
Former Cantilan mayor Carla Lopez Pichay, a long-time political rival of Momo and the Pimentel brothers in Surigao del Sur, has publicly amplified the allegations on social media.
She posted what she said was a copy of SLSC’s 2019 SEC general information sheet and cited this as proof that the divestment came only after the company had already obtained significant government contracts.
Responding to Momo’s denials, Pichay challenged his supporters, saying in Filipino and local dialects, “Try saying that your congressman is telling the truth without admitting that he is lying,” suggesting that, in her view, the documents contradict his claims.
Pichay also presented at least one contract, worth around ₱18 million, which she described as merely a sample of a much larger volume of awards.
“This is just one example. You still have many other contracts. This one is only ₱18 million; the total runs to more than a billion,” she said, adding that there are numerous additional projects that the public can verify for themselves.
She further pointed out that, “SLSC’s capitalization is now ₱200 million, just in time for Momoy becoming district congressman,” implying that the firm’s financial expansion coincided with Momo’s rise to a position of influence over public-works funding.
In another post, Pichay remarked that those she branded as “liars” could “make noise for now,” but insisted that more information would come out and that the trail of contracts could be researched online.
At one point she also told critics to “keep quiet and just go jogging, because life is good,” a sarcastic jab at those dismissing the allegations.
Church leaders’ complaint
The complaints were filed by diocesan priests and lay leaders who say they are acting in the interest of transparency and good governance in Surigao del Sur.
One of the complainants, lawyer Mary Helen Zafra, told reporters in Manila that they are questioning Momo’s continued role in budget deliberations while he faces serious accusations related to public spending.
Zafra said the group is particularly troubled by Momo’s inclusion in the powerful bicameral conference committee reconciling the Senate and House versions of the 2026 national budget.
“We have a lot of evidence here,” she said, holding up folders of what she described as documents supporting their plunder and graft complaints, including corporate records and procurement papers.
The complainants have asked the Ombudsman to investigate whether Momo violated anti-graft and ethical standards by allegedly maintaining beneficial ties to SLSC while serving as a district representative and participating in deliberations over infrastructure allocations.
Momo denies conflict of interest
Momo has strongly rejected the accusations and insisted there is no impropriety in his actions as a lawmaker.
“I would like to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest in my work as Surigao del Sur first district representative,” he said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page. “Such imputation of using public office for personal gain is not true. Wala po itong katotohanan.”
He described the supposed conflict of interest as “nothing more than a desperate attempt” to link him to a corruption scandal. “This is clearly a political vendetta to tarnish my name and I will not let it pass unchallenged,” Momo added.
The congressman did not address in detail the specific documents being cited by the complainants but maintained that his conduct as a public official has complied with all legal requirements, including those on divestment and ethical standards.
Case now with Ombudsman
The Office of the Ombudsman has yet to issue a public statement on the case. The complaints will undergo evaluation to determine whether a formal investigation and, eventually, preliminary investigation for possible criminal charges should proceed.
As the case moves forward, church leaders and civil-society groups in Surigao del Sur are expected to continue pressing for transparency on the alleged links between public officials and favored contractors, while Momo’s camp has signaled that it will vigorously defend the congressman’s record and motives in court and in the public arena.
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