Lacson half-expected Guteza recantation

Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Thursday that Orly Guteza’s recantation of allegations linking former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-lawmaker Elizaldy Co to a flood control kickback scheme was not surprising, citing Senate records that allegedly showed he was coached before testifying.

Lacson said CCTV footage showed Guteza spending about 30 minutes in the office of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta before appearing before the Blue Ribbon Committee in September last year. Guteza was the committee’s “surprise witness” and alleged that he delivered suitcases containing millions in kickbacks to Co and Romualdez

“Since it is on record that Marcoleta coached Guteza, it is not surprising that Guteza would backtrack on his claims,” Lacson said.

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, current Blue Ribbon Committee chair, likewise said Guteza’s recantation was not surprising, alleging that his testimony had been “full of lies” from the start.

Guteza, a retired Philippine Marine, later disappeared from public view before resurfacing this week and retracting his allegations.

He claimed in his recantation that Marcoleta and former Rep. Mike Defensor pressured and bribed him to fabricate accusations against Romualdez in exchange for money and scholarships for his children.

His credibility had already been questioned after the lawyer who allegedly notarized his affidavit denied preparing it. A Manila court later found that the signature and notarial details had been forged.

Guteza had alleged that suitcases containing about P48 million each in “basura,” or flood control kickbacks, were delivered to Co and Romualdez, totaling up to P1.6 billion.

Before Guteza’s recantation, four of Co’s 18 alleged bodyguards also withdrew statements involving cash-filled suitcases purportedly delivered to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez and other government allies.

Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said the developments should remind witnesses not to accept money to make false accusations.

“Let us not be enticed by offers of money just to malign someone who may be innocent or may have nothing to do with the accusations you are making,” Castro said.

She said the Ombudsman and Department of Justice should investigate and file charges if warranted. Tulfo said the Ombudsman should handle the case to avoid delaying proceedings.