Metro Manila, Philippines – Surigao del Sur 1st district Rep. Romeo Momo Sr., a member of the bicameral conference committee for the 2026 national budget, is facing multiple complaints including plunder, in connection with infrastructure projects bagged by a construction firm tied to him and his family.
A group of lawyers and priests filed the complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, Dec. 12, against Momo, a number of personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways and Commission on Audit, and Surigao La Suerte Corporation (SLSC) – the company connected to the lawmaker.
The complaints include violations of plunder and anti-graft laws and serious dishonesty and grave misconduct, among others, on over P1.4 billion in projects. The contracts include flood control projects, farm-to-market roads, and school buildings, among others.
“Napakasakit po. Miyembro siya ng bicam ngayon pero grabe mismo ang sariling kumpanya niya, Surigao La Suerte Corporation garnered or has been awarded billions of projects/contracts – DPWH infrastructure at fuel,” Mary Helen Zafra, one of the complainants said.
[Translation: It’s very painful. He is a member of the bicam (bicameral conference committee) now, yet his own company, Surigao La Suerte Corporation, has received or been awarded billions worth of projects/contracts – DPWH infrastructure and fuel.]
Momo is chairman of the House committee on public works and a co-chairperson of the committee on infrastructure. He is a member of the conference committee, which will reconcile differences between the Senate and House versions of the proposed P6.793-trillion budget.
“Before entering Congress, Momo served as one of the highest-ranking executives in the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) – a position that involved oversight of national infrastructure planning, regional operations, and project implementation across the country,” the complainants said.
In a statement, Momo called the complaints politically motivated, saying he already divested from the firm a “long time ago.”
“This is clearly a political vendetta to tarnish my name and I will not let it pass unchallenged. Sasagutin ko po ito, sasagutin ito ng aming pamilya, sa tamang forum at panahon [I will respond to this, my family will respond in the proper forum and time],” he said.
According to submitted records at the Securities and Exchange from the complainants, Momo was an SLSC director in 2019 and 2022. He was also listed as a stockholder in both years.
The lawmaker was the representative of the Construction Workers Solidarity (CWS) party-list group from 2019 to 2022.
Just last month, the DPWH and the Independent Commission for Infrastructure recommended criminal and administrative charges against current CWS Rep. Edwin Gardiola for conflict of interest, in connection with infrastructure deals bagged by a construction firm tied to his family.
Family involved
Also included in the complaints are six family members of Momo linked to SLSC.
One of them is Tandag, Surigao del Sur Vice Mayor Eleanor Momo, who, according to the complainants, is the sitting treasurer of the company.
Their children, Rommel Darvin, Ruel Darvin, Romeo Darvin, and Melanie Joy who all hold positions in SLSC, also faced the same complaints.
Momo’s grandson, Ryan Lester, a board member at the construction firm, was among the respondents as well.
Other respondents are:
- Ruel Bantugan (Surigao del sur 1st district engineer, DPWH)
- Alex Ramos (regional director, DPWH)
- Richard Chua (accountant III, DPWH)
- Joey Gingane (administrative division chief, DPWH)
- Merne Peñaranda (COA)
- Virgilita Galeon (COA)
- Virgenita Otagan (COA)
- Glen Cambray (COA)
