Former Surigao del Norte Representatives Francisco ‘Lalo’ Matugas and Francisco ‘Bingo’ Matugas II, father and son, are now subject to a preliminary investigation pursuant to recommended criminal and administrative charges against them, announced the Office of the Ombudsman on Friday.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano also said that several Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials and other personalities linked to civil engineering firm Boometrix Development Corporation have been included in the complaints.
“The Ombudsman has recommended criminal and administrative complaints against former Surigao del Norte Reps. Francisco ‘Lalo’ Matugas and Francisco ‘Bingo’ Matugas II, several DPWH officials and personalities linked to Boometrix Development Corp.” Clavano said during a press briefing.
The office’s findings pointed to violations of Sections 3e and 3h of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and malversation through the falsification of public documents.
Clavano said that, apart from pressing charges, the Ombudsman recommends that the elder Matugas be probed by the House Ethics Committee and that the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) be involved in the case.
“The report recommends complaints for violation of Section 3e and 3h of RA 3019 and malversation through falsification of public documents. Administrative charges against the DPWH officials involved, referral of Lalo Matugas to the House Committee on Ethics, and transmission of the complaint to the AMLC,” he said before the media.
The official said that, according to DPWH records, the Majayjay-Tuburan road project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, with ₱80.61 million funding, was marked fully complete and Boometrix Corp. paid in full.
However, an ocular inspection proved that the road project was left partially unfinished, despite ₱31 million having been released to Boometrix Corp. to complete the project.
“An Ombudsman site inspection in April 2026 found the project only 65-70 percent accomplished. At least ₱31 million was released despite its actual condition,” Clavano said.
Moreover, loans amounting to hundreds of millions was discovered between father, son, and the construction firm, establishing a direct link from the former lawmakers to the government-funded project.
“Investigations also documented ₱457 million in loans between the former legislators and Boometrix, supporting the conclusion that both held direct pecuniary interest in the contract,” Clavano disclosed to reporters.
Clavano clarified that, the case being in its preliminary investigation stage, no guilt has been established at this point in time.
