Jonathan Frederic De Santos

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

Article (news)

RG Cruz

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA<strong> (UPDATED)</strong> — Sen. Erwin Tulfo would rather leave the matter of alleged bagman Orly Guteza&#x27;s recantation of his claims that he delivered kickbacks to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to the Office of the Ombudsman.</p><p>Tulfo, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said in a radio interview that it is more efficient that way since the panel&#x27;s findings would be submitted to the Ombudsman anyway.</p><p>&quot;Pagkatapos, pag diyan sa Ombudsman, mag-iimbestiga din po sila [sa] finding namin. So nauulit lang,&quot; he said, adding this would extend the process by at least a month.</p><p>(When it reaches the Ombudsman, they will investigate based on our findings, so it is duplicated work.)</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/after-guteza-recants-ombudsman-says-28-others-ready-to-testify-in-romualdez-cases-1024"><strong>Ombudsman says 28 witnesses to testify in Romualdez probe despite Guteza’s reported recantation<br/></strong></a></div><p>In contrast, he said, the Office of the Ombudsman&#x27;s investigation into former congressman Mike Defensor over campaign donations to Sen. Rodante Marcoleta progressed quickly.</p><p>&quot;Pag-imbestiga nila, after few weeks, nakakulong na po.&quot;</p><p>(They investigated, and after a few weeks, people were arrested.)</p><p>Guteza said in a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in September 2025 that <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/suitcases-of-money-delivered-to-romualdez-zaldy-co-houses-staff-1118">he delivered cash to Romualdez&#x27;s house in Taguig</a>. The Leyte congressman denied the allegation, adding the house Guteza mentioned was being renovated.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/19/marcoleta-blasts-falsification-charge-against-surprise-whistleblower-orly-guteza-1823"><strong>Marcoleta blasts falsification charge against &#x27;surprise&#x27; whistleblower Orly Guteza<br/></strong></a></div><p>Guteza, a security consultant to former House Appropriations Committee Chair Elizaldy Co, said then that he delivered dozens of suitcases of money to the two congressmen.</p><p>He has since retracted the allegation, saying Defensor and Marcoleta had pressured him into making it up.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>LACSON: NO SURPRISE</strong></div><p>Sen. Panfilo Lacson, chair of the blue ribbon panel during the September hearing, said Guteza&#x27;s recantation was not a surprise since, he said, it was clear that Marcoleta was coaching him as he testified.</p><p>Marcoleta had even asked Guteza to read a portion of the statement that the alleged bagman inadvertently skipped.</p><p><strong></strong>Lacson also cited Senate CCTV records showing Guteza went to Marcoleta&#x27;s office and stayed there for half an hour before appearing at the hearing.</p><p>He said recantations by Co&#x27;s supposed bagmen have become &quot;a dime a dozen&quot;.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/17/baligod-says-he-has-screenshots-audio-on-bribery-of-bagmen-who-recanted-1335"><strong>Baligod to present additional witnesses to strengthen flood control case</strong></a></div>

<p>Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said in a radio interview that it is more efficient that way since the panel's findings would be submitted to the Ombudsman anyway.</p>

Sen. Erwin Tulfo, chair of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said in a radio interview that it is more efficient that way since the panel's findings would be submitted to the Ombudsman anyway.

Erwin Tulfo: Blue Ribbon leaving Guteza recantation to Ombudsman

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Erwin Tulfo: Blue Ribbon leaving Guteza recantation to Ombudsman

RG Cruz,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 01:16 PM PHT

|

Updated August 20, 2026 02:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Office of the Ombudsman

Orly Guteza

Erwin Tulfo

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

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