Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 8) — The son of former Surigao del Norte governor Francisco Matugas rejected the plunder allegations against his father and claimed their camp has proof the use of at least ₱50 million of the province’s funds to purchase children’s story books was legitimate.
“We have documents from three national government agencies to prove that the purchase of the books was above board and followed the law,” Surigao del Norte 1st District Rep. Francisco Jose Matugas said in a social media post on Wednesday.
Oscar Pospia Jr., a resident of Surigao del Norte and head of the provincial environment department, had filed the complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman. He claimed the former governor misused the province’s disaster funds – worth around ₱50 million – which was intended for residents affected by Super Typhoon Odette in 2021.
Pospia, who is also the chief of staff of incumbent governor Robert Barbers, accused Matugas of plunder, technical malversation, graft, and violating the procurement act.
“To be clear: Yesterday’s allegations against Papa are absurd and obviously politically motivated,” the younger Matugas also said.
The congressman also accused Barbers’ camp of acting in “bad faith to attempt to hurt us and is dismissing the fact that our students needed those books.”
“To Governor Barbers: I suggest you tell your staff to remember that our fellow Surigaonons are your real bosses here. Tell them to remember that their time is paid for by Surigaonon taxpayer money. Because in the one year you’ve held office, your administration has done nothing substantial to change their lives for the better,” Rep. Matugas said.
