Witnesses who implicated former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in the anomalous multibillion-peso flood control projects will take back their testimonies, Senator Imee Marcos said yesterday.
“What will happen in the coming days is that witnesses will recant their testimonies. Let’s all watch out for it. I am sure of that. They will backpedal one at a time because they were pressured. Their families were threatened, and they were reportedly almost entirely focused on their spouses and children,” according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s sister.
Imee said that Marine whistleblower Orly Guteza will be the first to recant his testimony because of the weight of the statement he lobbed during a Senate hearing on 25 September when he was pressed by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
“Well, you already know whose testimony was the most explosive. That’s all for now. Just wait for the next chapter,” Marcos said.
The witnesses, she said, revealed everything boldly, based on their personal knowledge. “Truly, the poor witnesses were thoroughly intimidated. Their actions were completely wrong,” she added.
No response
DAILY TRIBUNE sought comment from Senate Blue Ribbon Chair Panfilo Lacson, but his communications head said the lawmaker has not responded.
Guteza was nowhere to be found as of 12 November.
Last week, Lacson challenged Guteza to come out in the open and submit the evidence to support his allegation that he delivered billions of pesos in suitcases to the houses of Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co in Forbes Park.
Romualdez last month appeared at a hearing of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure to “clarify the issues” on the anomalous flood control projects and “help uncover the truth.”
He also thanked the body for inviting him to share his personal knowledge on the budget process.
Co, on the other hand, remains outside the country and has not responded, even though the ICI said it would allow him to attend hearings online.