Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

Article (news)

Momo

Vivienne Gulla

Agatha Gregorio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176551113648520251212031228_befe2f8bbe1a65fd4565f154c834791717c53b3f0ffd9bdb7d9e723c58e1b97b_cropped_processed_by_imagy.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rep. Romeo S. Momo. File photo/ABS-CBN News</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATE) </strong>— A group of priests and private individuals on Friday filed plunder, graft, and ethics complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo, Sr., among others, over what they said to be government-funded projects worth over P1.4B allegedly connected to the Momo family.</p><p>Other respondents listed in the complaint included some officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), members of the DPWH Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), personnel of the Commission on Audit (COA), and a private individual said to be conniving with public officials.</p><p>The complainants allege these contracts were awarded to Surigao La Suerte Corporation (SLSC), which complainants said Momo’s family serve as corporate officers.</p><p>Attached in the complaint are Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) documents showing Momo was director of the corporation.</p><p>“Makikita niyo po dito na ang pumirma ng kontrata between the government through DPWH is incumbent provincial board member Ruel Darvin Momo. Alam mo na there is a problem because conflict of interest. According to the constitution, bawal indirectly or indirectly na magkaroon ng pecuniary yet you still allowed. May bidding, pero anong nangyari sa bidding? Ba&#x27;t niyo inallow ang family corporation ng isang congressman na magkaroon ng ganitong billion na awards?” lawyer Mary Helen Zafra, one of the complainants, asked.</p><p>Aside from Rep. Momo, other respondents listed as “primary conspirators” are Surigao La Suerte Corporation, Eleanor Momo, Rommel Momo, Ruel Momo, Ryan Momo, Melanie Momo-Guno, and Romeo Momo, Jr.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;BASELESS&#x27;</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>In a statement, Momo tagged as “baseless” and a mere “political vendetta” the complaint filed against him.</p><p>Momo denied the allegation, stressing that he divested from Surigao La Suerte Corp. “a long time ago”. He added that the firm is not doing business in his congressional district.</p><p>“Once and for all, 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,” Momo said.</p><p>“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,” he added.</p><p>The lawmaker believes his political opponents are behind the complaint filed against him, and expressed readiness to respond to the allegations in the proper forum.</p><p>“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. Sasagutin ko po ito, sasagutin ito ng aming pamilya, sa tamang forum at panahon,” he added.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/12/11/suansing-libanan-in-12-member-house-contingent-to-bicam-on-budget-0014">Suansing, Libanan in 12-member House contingent to bicam on budget</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>MOMO PART OF BICAM</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Momo is the chairperson of the House Committee on Public Works and Highways and is also part of the 12-member House contingent to the bicameral conference committee tackling the proposed 2026 budget. </p><p>Zafra questioned this decision, saying Momo should not be included in the House contingent to the bicam.</p><p>“Kay Speaker Dy, please naman po makinig kayo sa taga-probinsya na katulad namin. Ba&#x27;t niyo po sinali ‘yan? Ito na po. Mayroon kaming mga ebidensya. Sana naman makinig kayo sa amin. Please, Pangulong BBM, please po kahit hindi na mahiya. Makonsensya na lang,&quot; Zafra said. </p><p>Zafra also called on President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to ensure justice is served.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CTz8aDj5HNQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Sl1daHU6e7M?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo tagged as “baseless” and a mere “political vendetta” the complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman. </p>

Surigao del Sur 1st District Representative Romeo Momo tagged as “baseless” and a mere “political vendetta” the complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Lawmaker faces plunder, graft raps over alleged link to firm with gov't projects

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Lawmaker faces plunder, graft raps over alleged link to firm with gov't projects

Vivienne Gulla,

Agatha Gregorio,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 12, 2025 11:46 AM PHT

|

Updated December 12, 2025 12:15 PM PHT

Read More:

House of Representatives

Romeo Momo Sr.

Momo

corruption

politics

Ombudsman

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