Complainants represented by lawyer Mary Helen Zafra urged the Ombudsman to resolve complaints filed in December against Surigao del Sur Rep. Romeo Momo Sr. and Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 13 officials over contracts awarded to a firm allegedly controlled by the lawmaker’s family.
The complainants, which included Catholic priests and good governance advocates, submitted a letter to the Ombudsman, received on September 11, seeking an update on their criminal and administrative complaints.
“The Constitution requires the Ombudsman and the Deputy Ombudsmen, as protectors of the people, to act promptly on complaints filed against public officials and employees. The Administrative Code likewise recognizes the duty of the Ombudsman to act promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner,” Zafra said in the letter.
She said they wanted an update on the complaints and to determine if there are further actions or submissions required from their end.
The September 11 reply of the Central Records Division indicated that the complaints remain at the evaluation level.
In the September 12 episode of his regular radio show on DZRH, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla was also asked by his co-host about the complaint.
Remulla said the complaints have been referred to preliminary investigation.
The complaints, which also included Momo’s family members and officials of the Commission on Audit (COA) Caraga and Local Government Audit Sector, Surigao del Sur, were for plunder and graft and the administrative offenses of Serious Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct, and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service.
The complaints alleged that Surigao La Suerte Corp. (SLSC), which is allegedly controlled and operated by members of Momo’s family, received P1.143 billion worth of public works contracts and P201.98 million worth of fuel supply contracts from the DPWH-Region 13.