MANILA, Philippines — Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco Matugas and his son, former Rep. Francisco Matugas II, said Tuesday they would cooperate fully with the Office of the Ombudsman and answer allegations against them over the Mahayhay-Tuburan Road project through the proper process.
“We respect the Ombudsman and its mandate. Let the institution do its job, and let us answer the allegations through the proper process,” the Matugases said.
They said they would submit the documents and evidence needed to address allegations concerning their supposed financial interest in the project, stressing that the transactions should be examined based on their nature, purpose, timing and actual relationship to the project.
The father and son likewise said questions about the project's reported accomplishment should be assessed against the complete record, including contracts, payments, certifications, inspections and other relevant documents.
“An investigation is an important process precisely because it allows the allegations, the evidence and the respondents’ explanations to be examined together,” they said.
The statement followed the Ombudsman’s disclosure of allegations involving the P80.61-million Mahayhay-Tuburan Road project in Del Carmen, Surigao del Norte, which investigators found to be only 65 percent to 70 percent complete despite being reported as completed.
Investigators also cited alleged financial links between the Matugases and contractor Boometrix Development Corp., including documented loans amounting to about P457.13 million.
For their part, the Matugases said they would continue cooperating with the preliminary investigation and submit the documents needed to establish the facts.
“Let the Ombudsman do its job. Let us answer the allegations. Let the documents speak,” they said.
