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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Plunder charge, other criminal raps filed vs Surigao del Sur Rep Momo, members of his family, DPWH officials

Plunder charge, other criminal raps filed vs Surigao del Sur Rep Momo, members of his family, DPWH officials

Published Dec 12, 2025 04:07 pm
Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. and members of his family were accused of plunder and other criminal offenses before the Office of the Ombudsman in the P1.4 billion infrastructure contracts awarded to their family-owned company, Surigao La Suerte Corporation (SLSC).
Aside from Congressman Momo, also charged on Friday, Dec. 12, were his wife, Tandag City Vice Mayor Eleanor Darvin Momo, their son and SLSC member of the board of directors Rommel Darvin Momo, their son and Surigao del Sur Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Ruel Darvin Momo, their grandson and SLSC board of director member Ryan Lester Y. Momo, their daughter and SLSC corporate secretary Melanie Joy Momo-Guno, and their son and Sangguniang Bayan member Romeo Darvin Momo Jr.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials named in the complaint were Joselito B. Caballero, Minda R. Rosalinda, Noel C. Basanes, Ruel B. Bantugan, Pol M. Delos Santos, and Alex B. Ramos, together with bids and awards committee (BAC) chairperson and members Cherry C. Yu, Maria Sol C. Pagaran, Jerome B. Anub, Emelyn M. Yu, Richard A. Chua, Rosebert V. Sablas, Jay P. Laurente, Cristina Luz R. Cacayan, Flora Sarah D. Visaya, Ma. Cecilia A. Cedro, Nomer Abel P. Canlas, Annabelle L. Acma, Joey D. Gingane, Maribeth D. Burgos, Ormil D. Go, Ruth Cantiveros, Vincent Roderick O. Acebes, and Luvimin S. Villanueva II.
Commission on Audit (COA) personnel lawyer Usmin P. Diamel, lawyer Felix M. Basallaje Jr., Merne T. Penaranda, and Glen B. Cambray were also named in the complaints together with private individual Laurence C. Ting.
The charges were filed by Msgr. Florio R. Falcon, Rev. Arturo P. Langit, Rev. Msgr. Jose Polinar Zafra III, Rev. Fr. Francisco A. Olvis, Rev. Fr. Elvies A. Petros, Rev. Fr. Ritchel L. Espinola, Rev. Fr. Godofredo Quiazon Jr., Alexander Tabulo Malaque, and Mary Helen Polinar Zafra.
The complainants want them charged with violations of Republic Act No. 7080 on plunder; Sections 3(e), (g), and (h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; serious dishonesty and grave misconduct; Article 208 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC); R.A. No. 11232, the Revised Corporation Code of the Philippines; Section 89 of the Local Government Code of 1991; Articles 171 and 217 of the RPC; and Civil Service Laws.
"In this case, the respondent Momo family, incumbent public officials, abused their positions of trust and influence by ensuring that more than a billion-peso public contracts were awarded to a construction company that they themselves own, manage, and control," the complainants alleged.
They also alleged: "Acting in open conflict of interest, respondent Momo family not only violated their oath of office, but orchestrated a scheme whereby public funds were diverted to their private business interests."
They claimed that the Momo family allegedly enriched themselves with the help of the DPWH through a series of infrastructure projects.
"Together, they formed a conspiracy designed to mask illegality with the veneer of official transactions, thereby defrauding the people of their right to honest and transparent governance," they also claimed.
In a statement, Congressman Momo said there is no conflict of interest in his public service, and the allegations of using it for personal gain has no truth.
He pointed out that he had divested from SLSC a long time ago, and he is no longer part of the company.
He also said: "The so-called conflict of interest is nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to a supposed corruption scandal. This is clearly a political vendetta to tarnish my name and I will not let it pass unchallenged."
"In my more than 40 years of untarnished public service, and now serving as Representative of the people of Surigao del Sur 1st District, 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 added.
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