DOJ to probe forged affidavit of Senate witness Guteza

On October 24, the Manila RTC Branch 18 recommended the filing of appropriate charges against Guteza over the falsified affidavit he presented to the Senate. It also directed the DOJ to further investigate the matter.

However, as of writing, Prosecutor General Anthony Fadullon said they have yet to receive the court’s order.

“As soon as we get hold of the copy of the decision or the order report, we will act accordingly,” Fadullon said in a press briefing on Wednesday, October 29.

“We have not seen it. I heard on the news that the court had declared that the document for the authorization was falsified. But as to what the instructions of the court are specifically for the department to know, we have not received it yet,” he added.

Guteza, a former security consultant of ex-Rep. Zaldy Co (Ako Bicol party-list), earlier claimed in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing that he delivered suitcases of cash to the residences of both Co and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The sworn statement related to this testimony was allegedly notarized by lawyer Petchie Rose Espera, who denied any involvement.

After Espera reported the incident, a Manila court initiated an inquiry. She maintained that she never signed or notarized the document and that her seal and signature were falsified. Guteza, however, failed to appear in the proceedings.

The court concluded that Guteza and others who used the document “not only introduced the forged and notarized sworn affidavit, but also actively participated in its falsification.”

— Ian Laqui with reports from The STAR/Daphne Galvez