Lalo, Bingo Matugas face graft, malversation complaints over P80M road project

August 28, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The Office of the Ombudsman will conduct a preliminary investigation into graft and malversation complaints against Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas and his son, former representative Francisco “Bingo” Matugas II, over an P80.6 million road project and their alleged connection with a construction firm.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Ombudsman investigators recommended the graft and malversation complaints.

Also included in the complaints are several Department of Public Works and Highways officials and personalities linked to Boometrix Development Corporation.

Clavano said the complaints alleged that the DPWH recorded the P80.61 million road project in Del Carmen as fully complete, paving the way for contractor Boometrix to be fully paid.

But he said that an Ombudsman site inspection in April 2026 found that the project was only 65 to 70 percent accomplished.

He also said the investigators documented P457 million in loans between the Matugases and Boometrix, “supporting the conclusion that both held direct, pecuniary interest in the contract.”

The investigators recommended complaints for violations of Section 3(e) and 3(h) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation through falsification of public documents.

They also sought administrative charges against the DPWH officials, the referral of Lalo Matugas to the House Committee on Ethics, and the transmission of the complaint to the Anti-Money Laundering Council.