Guteza recants testimony, says Marcoleta, Defensor arranged Senate appearance

Former Marine security aide Orly Regala Guteza has recanted his earlier testimony linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries from flood-control projects, and accused Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor of arranging his appearance before the Senate.

In an affidavit dated 13 August acquired by the DAILY TRIBUNE, Guteza said Defensor brought him to a restaurant near the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay on 24 September 2025, where he met Marcoleta, then chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee. He said Marcoleta reviewed an affidavit prepared for his Senate appearance and directed an aide to put his account on a laptop.

“Sabi niya ‘Hindi’ at pilit na sabi niya, ‘sulat lang natin bahala na si Sen. Dante.’ Sa takot ko nasabi ko sige sir. Agad inutusan niya si Mark na kunin ang laptop para isulat ang kagustuhan niya,” Guteza said.

He also quoted Marcoleta as saying: “Ito na yung missing link, na hinahanap natin kasi puro sila Zaldy Co at ikaw lang makakapagbanggit kay former Speaker Martin...”

Guteza said he was offered money and educational scholarships for his children in exchange for appearing at the Senate, where he allegedly only read the prepared affidavit.

He now denies personally delivering cash to Romualdez's residence, contradicting his previous testimony that he had delivered suitcases containing cash to properties linked to Romualdez and former Ako Bicol lawmaker Zaldy Co.

Marcoleta introduced Guteza as a surprise witness at the Senate hearing, while Marcoleta said Defensor had introduced the former Marine to him.

DAILY TRIBUNE sought comments from Marcoleta and Defensor on Guteza's allegations but had not received their responses as of press time.