Geline Salac

NBI awaits invite to present Guteza affidavit forgery findings

Article (news)

David Dizon

ABS-CBN News

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said it will await an invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to present its findings on the alleged forgery of a lawyer’s signature in the affidavit of “surprise witness” Orly Guteza.</p><p>NBI OIC Angelito Magno said Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 earlier ordered the NBI to examine the document after Atty. Petchie Rose Espera denied notarizing or signing the affidavit.</p><p>Investigations on possible forgeries and alterations are handled by the Questioned Document Division under the Forensic Science Service. </p><p>“Kung tunay po na forgery, magkakaroon po ito ng kaso ng falsification of public document kasi ito po prinisinta niya sa isang pag-hi-hearing doon sa Senate po…At notaryado allegedly,” he said in a DZMM interview.</p><p>“Siguro po pag dumating ang tamang pagkakataon kung saan magkakaroon po ng investigation o request ang Senado kung saan ito ay nai-prisinta.”</p><p>Guteza, who claims to be a former staff of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, earlier testified in a Senate hearing that he delivered suitcases of money to the homes of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. </p><p>Both have denied the claims, with the latter saying it is impossible that he received money from Guteza in a residence that was under renovation since January 2024.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/axmpAlbMKc4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Espera, however, <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/29/marcos-jr-filing-cases-over-flood-control-mess-can-t-be-done-hastily-0053">denied signing</a> Guteza’s sworn statement, which prompted an investigation after she filed an incident report. Sen. Rodante Marcoleta has <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/marcoleta-lawyer-may-be-disbarred-if-denied-notarizing-guteza-s-affidavit-2020">warned Espera</a> may face disbarment if she refuses to acknowledge her signature.</p><p>Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson earlier said a full record check and background investigation (RCBI) was needed for Guteza after he was presented before the committee “without even the courtesy of notice.”</p><p>&quot;Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday,&quot; Lacson said in a post on X.</p><p>The Department of Justice noted Guteza also failed to appear before its inquiry after he was invited to shed light on the flood control issue. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AwY6_Wk9TKU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><p>Legal expert Egon Cayosa said Espera could file a case of  perjury, introducing fraudulent evidence and use of a fraudulent public document against Guteza. </p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/moi4JwP7z7w?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said it will await an invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to present its findings on the alleged forgery of a lawyer’s signature in the affidavit of “surprise witness” Orly Guteza.</p>

The National Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday said it will await an invitation from the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to present its findings on the alleged forgery of a lawyer’s signature in the affidavit of “surprise witness” Orly Guteza.