Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Attempts to pay people to make false accusations are a cause for concern because they weaken the justice system and confuse the public, Malacañang said.Palace Press Officer Claire Castro made the statement in light of the reported recantation of Orly Guteza of his allegations last year that he had delivered suitcases of kickback money to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-congressman Elizaldy &quot;Zaldy&quot; Co.She said the Palace views the claims, which include those made by Co&#x27;s other supposed bagmen, as attempts to discredit people and &quot;destabilize&quot; government. <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>“Medyo nakakabahala ito, dahil sisirain nito ang justice system nito, sisirain din nito kung ano ang paniniwala ng ating mga kababayan, dahil mas maraming papalutangin na maling impormasyon, fake news, false information na makakaapekto sa katotohanan,&quot; she said.(This is concerning because this will erode the justice system and affect what the people believe, because there will be more wrong information, fake news, false information that will affect the truth.)Asked if President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is aware of Guteza’s recantation, Castro said he is aware of the news. She also said the president has not reacted to the development.“Ang nais naman po ng pangulo ay laging ayon sa batas, hindi gawa-gawang ebidensiya. Kung totoong mapapatunayan na siya ay gumawa lang ng mga kuwento, hindi naman din ito makakabuti sa pagpo-pursue sa mga tao na dapat managot,” she said.(What the president wants is what is within the law, not made-up evidence. If it is true that Guteza made up stories, that will not be helpful in pursuing the people who should be held accountable.)<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><div></div>She stressed that the government and investigating bodies like the Office of the Ombudsman need true accounts to able to doe their work.She said including false statements in the the investigations will them less effective.The Office of the Ombudsman has said Guteza&#x27;s recantation will not affect its probe, which it said is not centered on just a few witnesses.Further pressed on how the government plans to put an end to supposed attempts to propagate false statements, Castro said investigating bodies have the mandate to probe such and file charges against the perpetrators.Castro also urged the public to not be tempted by money to make false statements against others.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/erwin-tulfo-blue-ribbon-leaving-guteza-recantation-to-ombudsman-1316">Erwin Tulfo: Blue Ribbon leaving Guteza recantation to Ombudsman </a> </div>“Dahil kumita man kayo, iyong taong sinira ninyo, hindi lang iyong tao na iyan ang masisira, kung hindi ang buong pamilya niyan, ang buong integridad niyan.&quot;(Because you may make money, but the person you discredited — the damage will not just be to them but to their family, to their integrity.)

Attempts to pay people to make false accusations are a cause for concern because they weaken the justice system and confuse the public, Malacañang said.

Attempts to pay people to make false accusations are a cause for concern because they weaken the justice system and confuse the public, Malacañang said.

Malacañang says use of 'paid witnesses' threatens justice system

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Malacañang says use of 'paid witnesses' threatens justice system

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 05:03 PM PHT

Read More:

Palace

Claire Castro

Orly Guteza

Zaldy Co

Martin Romualdez

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