The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended two counts each of graft and malversation against Surigao del Norte Rep. Francisco “Lalo” Matugas and former congressman Francisco “Bingo” Matugas II over a road project allegedly linked to a contractor in which they had a financial interest.

Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said Friday the two politicians were found to have conspired with Department of Public Works and Highways officials and had interests in Boometrix Development Corp., which received 125 projects in Surigao del Norte from 2017 to 2024.

The complaint centers on the P80.61-million Majayjay-Tuburan road project in Del Carmen, reported as fully completed but found by investigators to be only 65 to 70 percent complete despite P31 million having been released.

Investigators also documented P457 million in loans between the former legislators and Boometrix, Clavano said, supporting the finding that they had a direct financial interest in the contract.