Marilyn Cahatol

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

Lyza Aquino

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/178722203571820250925-senate-flood-control-probe-orly-guteza-JC2928.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" 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 </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Orly Guteza, a former Marine who said he was a bagman for former congressman Elizaldy &quot;Zaldy&quot; Co, has recanted testimony that he had delivered cash connected to anomalous flood control projects to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. </p><p>In a new sworn affidavit dated August 13, Guteza accused Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor of pressuring him to make the allegations. </p><p>Guteza said his <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/25/suitcases-of-money-delivered-to-romualdez-zaldy-co-houses-staff-1118">appearance at the Senate</a> on September 25, 2025, was the result of what he described as a scheme where he said he was persuaded, coached, and promised money for his testimony.</p><p>Marcoleta had presented Guteza as a surprise witness during the Senate’s investigation into alleged corruption in flood-control projects.</p><p>At the time, Guteza claimed to be a former security consultant for then Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Co. He also said he had personally participated in the delivery of suitcases allegedly containing millions of pesos to properties associated with Co and Romualdez.</p><p>His testimony later drew scrutiny after the lawyer whose name and notarial details appeared on the original affidavit denied any involvement in preparing the document.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;I WAS PRESSURED&#x27;</strong></div><p>In his new affidavit, Guteza said he never intended to testify before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.</p><p>He said Defensor&#x27;s driver contacted him on September 24, 2025, which led to a meeting with Defensor and a certain Mark.</p><p>Guteza said he was brought to a Japanese restaurant in Pasay, where he said Defensor asked him to say that he had seen suitcases containing money being transported from Co&#x27;s residence.</p><p>“Sabi niya sa akin na sabihin ko na naghahakot kami pera sa bahay ni Cong Zaldy galing [Department of Public Works and Highways],” he said, referring to Defensor.</p><p>(He told me to say that we delivered money to Cong. Zaldy&#x27;s house from the DPWH.)</p><p>Guteza said he maintained that he had not seen anyone deliver suitcases to Co’s residence but that Defensor insisted that he write down what he was being told to so that Marcoleta could later review it.</p><p>“Hindi at pilit na sabi niya, &#x27;Sulat lang natin, bahala na si Sen. Dante.&#x27;”</p><p>(He kept saying &#x27;Just write it and Sen. Dante will take care of it&#x27;.)</p><p>Guteza said he eventually agreed because he was afraid.</p><p>He said Mark was instructed to use a laptop to prepare the statement.</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">Ombudsman says 28 witnesses to testify in Romualdez probe despite Guteza’s reported recantation</a></div><p>The allegations contained in Guteza’s new affidavit have yet to be independently established.</p><p>ABS-CBN News is still seeking statements from Defensor and Marcoleta’s camps. Both are currently detained in connection with plunder and graft charges.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MARCOLETA ALLEGEDLY EDITED THE AFFIDAVIT</strong></div><p>Guteza said Marcoleta arrived at the restaurant around 4:30 p.m. and reviewed the affidavit prepared by Mark.</p><p>According to Guteza, Marcoleta personally edited portions of the document.</p><p>He said Marcoleta told him his affidavit would be the &quot;missing link&quot; to connect Romualdez to the alleged money.</p><p>Guteza said he again objected and told Marcoleta that the names of Paul and Mark had already been mentioned.</p><p>He claimed Marcoleta responded: “&#x27;Di pwede si Paul at Mark kasi Iglesia, matitiwalag yon at ayaw ko na ako ang dahilan ng pagkatiwalag nila. Bawal kasi sa Iglesia ang ganyang usapin.”</p><p>(It can&#x27;t be Paul or Mark because they are members of Iglesia ni Cristo, they will be expelled and I don&#x27;t want to be the reason for that. Iglesia members cannot engage in these things.)</p><p>Guteza said the senator told him that all he needed to do was read the affidavit and he would be paid.</p><p>He said Defensor also promised him cash and educational assistance for his children.</p><p>According to his affidavit, the amount of P150 million was mentioned during the meeting.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;ALLEGATIONS IN ORIGINAL AFFIDAVIT UNTRUE&#x27;</strong></div><p>Guteza now says that, because of fear, pressure, and the promises allegedly made to him, he agreed to testify despite knowing that portions of the affidavit were false.</p><p>He specifically recanted his claim that he had participated in three deliveries of suitcases to Romualdez&#x27;s property in Forbes Park.</p><p>He added: “Wala nga akong naging derektang kontak o nakita man lang si SP Romualdez sa nasabing address.”</p><p>(I had no direct contact with Romualdez at that address. I didn&#x27;t even see him.)</p><p>Guteza said he ultimately agreed because he was worried about providing for his children’s education.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>BEFORE THE SENATE HEARING</strong></div><p>Guteza said he went to the Senate the following morning and met a member of Marcoleta’s staff before entering the session hall.</p><p>He said Marcoleta repeatedly reminded him that his testimony was voluntary and instructed him to stick to the contents of the affidavit.</p><p>During the hearing, Guteza said he was reprimanded when he went beyond what was written in the document.</p><p>“Nag ‘ad lib’ ako at ang sabi ay sundan lang ang nakasulat.”</p><p>(I ad libbed and I was told to just follow what was written.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>&#x27;I WAS USED&#x27;</strong></div><p>Guteza said that after the hearing, he tried to speak with Marcoleta but was ignored.</p><p>He described leaving the Senate confused and asking himself why he had agreed to testify.</p><p>He said he later realized that he had been used by politicians.</p><p>“Kasi nadala ako sa matatamis na salitang pangako nina former Congressman Mike Defensor at Senador Marcoleta kaya ako nagpagamit nang husto.”</p><p>(I was convinced by the sweet words of former Congressman Mike Defensor and Senator Marcoleta so I let myself be used.)</p><p>He said neither Defensor nor Marcoleta contacted him after the hearing, which convinced him that he had been used.</p><p>Guteza disappeared from public view after his September 2025 Senate appearance.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/romualdez-includes-guteza-s-recantation-in-supplemental-counter-affidavit-for-ombudsman-1608">Romualdez includes Guteza&#x27;s recantation in supplemental counter-affidavit for Ombudsman</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AU5TTIwOrNc?si=7s04IAmIL6S1-yHw" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>Retired Marine Orly Guteza has recanted his previous testimony linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries connected to anomalous flood control projects.</p>

Retired Marine Orly Guteza has recanted his previous testimony linking former House Speaker Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries connected to anomalous flood control projects.

Guteza recants Senate testimony, says Defensor and Marcoleta behind it

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Guteza recants Senate testimony, says Defensor and Marcoleta behind it

Lyza Aquino,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 06:58 PM PHT

Read More:

Orly Guteza

Senate Blue Ribbon Committee

Rodante Marcoleta

Mike Defensor

Martin Romualdez

Flood Control Investigation

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