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Orly Guteza testifies at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on flood control projects on September 25, 2025. (Courtesy: Senate of the Philippines)
Retired Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza retracted his testimony that connected the former House Speaker to the flood-control scandal, saying he was offered money in exchange for falsely implicating the lawmaker.
In an exclusive report of GMA’s 24 Oras, Guteza said in his new affidavit that former Anakalusgan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor pressured him to provide false testimony against Leyte 1st District Rep. Martin Romualdez.
Earlier this month, four former bodyguards of ex-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co—known as the “Maleta Boys”—also recanted their earlier sworn statements that implicated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the former Speaker, Co, and other personalities in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects.
Guteza said it was during a meeting at a Japanese restaurant near the Senate where he was given an affidavit tagging Romualdez that was drafted for him.
He said Defensor dictated the details of the allegations against the former Speaker. He also mentioned that Senator Rodante Marcoleta edited and completed the draft that was typed by Defensor’s son-in-law, Mark.
“Senator Marcoleta began reading the affidavit prepared by Mark based on what former Congressman Mike said, ‘I will correct the Tagalog.’ Right in front of me, Senator Marcoleta was revising that affidavit. Former Congressman Mike Defensor remarked that Mark did not know how to speak Tagalog.”
Marcoleta previously described Guteza as the “most credible witness” on the alleged flood control anomalies.
Guteza, in the 24 Oras report aired Wednesday evening, also recounted overhearing a conversation between Marcoleta and Defensor regarding financial matters.
“Cong Mike said, ‘Read it first, you take care of it, if that’s okay, he said, ‘Bro, P150-M will make us happy.’ After he finished reading the affidavit, he stated, ‘This is the missing link we have been searching for because Zaldy Co is the only one being mentioned and now you’re the one who can mention former Speaker Martin about delivering the money.’”
“He told me to just read it, and you will be compensated again. I felt compelled to say it for him, ‘Alright, sir, if this is the way to help, but I am just concerned about my children’s education.’”
Guteza mentioned that Marcoleta instructed him not to make a mistake in what they had discussed when he was called to the Senate Blue Ribbon hearing on the flood control mess.
Guteza served as a surprise witness during the hearing in September last year.
Marcoleta presented Guteza at the hearing, noting that he was referred by Defensor. — Joel E. Zurbano
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Credit belongs to: www.manilastandard.net
