MANILA, Philippines — The flood-control corruption investigation has taken another dramatic turn after former Marine and ex-security aide Orly Guteza withdrew his earlier testimony linking former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries, prompting Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairman Sen. Erwin Tulfo to suggest that the witness may have had a change of heart.
Guteza’s recantation emerged after months of controversy surrounding his September 2025 appearance before the Senate, where he claimed that he personally delivered suitcases allegedly containing large amounts of cash to the residences of then-House Speaker Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
On Wednesday, August 19, Guteza surfaced with a new affidavit that reversed his earlier account. He now alleged that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor had recruited him to make accusations against Romualdez, allegedly offering money and scholarships for his children in exchange for his participation.
Those claims remain allegations and have not been independently established.
Tulfo: ‘Baka nakunsensya’
Tulfo, who now chairs the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, welcomed Guteza’s recantation.
In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB on Thursday, Tulfo said Guteza may have felt guilty after making his earlier accusations.
“Nu’ng sumalang po ‘yan, puro kasinungalingan ang pinagsasabi niyan,” Tulfo said, characterizing the earlier testimony as false. He added that Guteza had pointed fingers at various people before later disappearing from public view.
Tulfo said the Senate had attempted to contact Guteza after his initial appearance and that the committee would now leave questions about possible legal liability to the proper authorities.
Asked whether Guteza could face a perjury case, Tulfo said the matter should be handled by the Office of the Ombudsman rather than prolonging another Senate investigation.
From surprise witness to recanting witness
Guteza became a major figure in the flood-control controversy after appearing as a surprise witness before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September 2025.
At the time, he claimed he had worked as a security aide or security consultant for Co and had participated in alleged deliveries of cash-filled luggage. The allegations became part of the wider investigation into alleged kickbacks connected to government flood-control projects.
Romualdez and Co denied the accusations.
Guteza subsequently disappeared from public view, while questions were raised about the circumstances surrounding his testimony and affidavit.
His latest affidavit dramatically changes that narrative.
According to reports, Guteza now says he was instructed to make accusations against Romualdez and was allegedly promised financial assistance and scholarships for his children. He also claims he was instructed to read a prepared affidavit during his Senate appearance.
Marcoleta and Defensor have been named by Guteza in the new allegations, but their alleged involvement remains subject to verification and their responses should be considered as part of the continuing investigation.
Ombudsman: Guteza is not the only witness
Despite the recantation, the Office of the Ombudsman says the investigation involving Romualdez does not depend solely on Guteza.
The anti-graft body said it has 28 other witnesses who can provide what it described as direct and material information concerning the transactions under investigation.
The Ombudsman also characterized recantations in high-profile cases as a potential “pressure tactic” and warned against attempts to obstruct or interfere with its proceedings.
That means Guteza’s reversal does not automatically end the case or erase the other evidence being examined by investigators.
The development is particularly significant because Romualdez’s camp is also preparing a supplemental counter-affidavit for the Ombudsman, with sworn statements from 25 former drivers and security aides of Zaldy Co. The camp said it would include Guteza’s reported recantation in its filing.
Senate steps back as Ombudsman takes center stage
Tulfo said the Blue Ribbon Committee would not conduct a separate prolonged investigation into Guteza’s recantation.
Instead, the committee intends to turn the matter over to the Ombudsman, which is already handling the relevant corruption complaints and evidence.
This approach could allow the Senate to concentrate on its legislative inquiry while leaving questions of criminal liability, credibility and possible perjury to the appropriate investigative and prosecutorial authorities.
The bigger question: What evidence survives?
Guteza’s reversal adds another layer of uncertainty to an already sprawling flood-control investigation.
His original testimony helped fuel allegations against Romualdez and other personalities. His new affidavit now raises questions about how that testimony was obtained and whether political actors influenced his appearance before the Senate.
But the Ombudsman’s statement that 28 other witnesses remain available means investigators are not relying solely on Guteza.
For now, neither Guteza’s original allegations nor his new accusations against Marcoleta and Defensor should be treated as proven facts. Both versions will have to be weighed against documentary evidence, sworn statements and other corroborating information.
The biggest issue moving forward may therefore be less about which version Guteza tells and more about what independent evidence can withstand scrutiny.
The flood-control controversy is far from over, and Guteza’s dramatic reversal may prove to be only the latest twist in a much larger investigation.
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