Plunder and graft complaints were filed Friday with the Office of the Ombudsman against Surigao del Sur Representative Romeo Momo Sr. over the alleged P1.4 billion worth of government contracts bagged by the construction firm owned by his family.

A group of Catholic priests and lawyers from Tandag, Surigao del Sur said that based on government records, Momo family’s Surigao La Suerte Corp. (SLSC) allegedly received P1.4 billion in fuel and infrastructure government contracts across the province while Momo was the company's director and a Surigao del Sur representative.

“SEC filings show Congressman Momo was listed as a director during periods when SLSC was obtaining government projects. The company's paid-up capital [also] increased dramatically, from P10 million in 2019 to P200 million in 2023. These are not ordinary circumstances," the group said in a statement. 

"This involves a former top DPWH official and House Infrastructure [Committee co-] chairman whose family-linked corporation benefited from billions in government projects. Multiple contracts and Notices of Award bear signatures of Momo family members, serving as corporate representatives for SLSC. These are government-signed documents, and they speak for themselves,” it added.

In response, Momo denied the allegations and tagged them as politically motivated. 

“I would like to make it clear that there is no conflict of interest in my work as Surigao del Sur first district representative. Such imputation of using public office for personal gain is not true. Wala po itong katotohanan,” he said in a statement. 

“I had already, in fact, divested from the Surigao La Suerte Corp. a long time ago. I’m no longer part of this company. Besides, it’s not doing business in my congressional district. People and documents can attest to that. These baseless complaints are all political motivated. It is nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to a supposed corruption scandal,” he added.

Momo then said he will answer the allegations with additional details before the proper forum and at the proper time.

“I have always been guided by the highest standards of integrity and principle enshrined in the Constitution: Public office is a public trust. I will never betray the people of Surigao del Sur, whom I have served, and shall continue to serve, with utmost responsibility and accountability,” he said.

(With reports from Llanesca T. Panti, GMA Integrated News)