Camille Naredo

Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025.

Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

SENATE PROBE- FLOOD CONTROL ANOMALIES

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176354767589620250925-senate-flood-control-probe-orly-guteza-JC2989.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Designated bodyguard and driver Orly Guteza answers questions during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on the alleged anomalous flood control projects at the Senate plenary hall in Pasay City on September 25, 2025. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday blasted the falsification charge against his witness Orly Guteza, whose sworn statement was found to have a falsified notarization and forged notarial signature.</p><p>Guteza claimed to be a former staff of resigned Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and testified in a Senate hearing that he delivered suitcases of money to the homes of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. </p><p>During the Senate&#x27;s deliberation on the judiciary&#x27;s 2026 budget, Marcoleta said Guteza has &quot;nothing to gain&quot; and &quot;everything to lose.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Siguro po sa kanyang puso, inisip niya, inasahan niya na tutulungan siya ng estado. Ma-proteksyonan man lang siya dahil sa kanyang ginawa para matulungan ang estado i-prosecute kung sino talaga ang may kasalanan sa malaganap at kasuklam-suklam na scandal na ginawa ng mga taong kasangkot dito,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Pero wala po eh. Wala siyang nahita. Despite his courageous testimony before the Blue Ribbon Committee, he did not get even the courtesy that he deserves,&quot; Marcoleta added, stressing that Guteza is a &quot;victim.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Siya siya ngayon ang kakasuhan ng falsification, ng perjury. Ang tanging kasalanan niya ay lumabas lamang at nagpasya para tulungan ng Estado hanapin kung sino ang utak ng mga kawalang hiyaaang nangyari sa ating bansa.&quot;</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/18/-baseless-ph-navy-denies-marines-illegally-detained-orly-guteza-family-1601">READ: PH Navy denies Marines illegally detained Orly Guteza, family</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/14/-is-he-dead-or-alive-whereabouts-of-surprise-whistleblower-guteza-still-unknown-1206">READ: Whereabouts of &#x27;surprise&#x27; whistleblower Guteza still unknown</a></div><p>Lawyer Petchie Rose Espera had denied notarizing or signing Guteza&#x27;s affidavit following his Senate appearance. </p><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><p>His whereabouts remain unknown, though the Philippine Navy recently refuted claims that Guteza is under its custody or protection. Guteza &quot;has long been retired from the service,&quot; according to Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Arlene Martinez.</p><p>Senator Francis Pangilinan, the budget sponsor of the Judiciary, responded to Marcoleta.</p><p>&quot;At the very least, ang dapat may pananagutan doon ay yung pumeke rather than si Ginoong Guteza,&quot; he said. &quot;Kung merong may pananagutan doon, eh yung nameke. Kung totoo ngang peke. At base ata sa findings ng executive judge ng RTC Branch 18 ay yung signature nga ng Espera ay falsified. So yung nag-falsify ng signature, yan may pananagutan.&quot;</p><p>Marcoleta got the Judiciary to commit that his staff will have access to the notarial records of the lawyer who notarized Guteza&#x27;s affidavit for examination. However, he also complained that the executive judge who has custody over the records insisted on choosing what they will examine, instead of selecting samples.</p><p>Pangilinan explained there is basis for the judge&#x27;s decision, but Marcoleta can ask for more. -- <strong>report from RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News</strong></p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/19/marcos-has-appraised-net-worth-of-p1-375b-according-to-his-2024-saln-1430">READ: Can Marcoleta be held liable over surprise witness&#x27; falsified notary? DOJ weighs in</a></div>

<p>Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday blasted the falsification charge against his witness Orly Guteza, whose sworn statement was found to have a falsified notarization and forged notarial signature.</p>

Senator Rodante Marcoleta on Wednesday blasted the falsification charge against his witness Orly Guteza, whose sworn statement was found to have a falsified notarization and forged notarial signature.

Marcoleta blasts falsification charge against 'surprise' whistleblower Orly Guteza

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Marcoleta blasts falsification charge against 'surprise' whistleblower Orly Guteza

ABS-CBN News

Published November 19, 2025 06:23 PM PHT

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Orly Guteza

Rodante Marcoleta

whistleblower

Philippine Senate

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