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)

Kaxandra Salonga

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/17872129154211787212912948.jpeg" 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. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez&#x27;s lawyers have filed a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman on allegations against the Leyte congressman related to corruption in flood-control projects.</p><p>Atty. Felix Villa, one of Romualdez&#x27;s lawyers, confirmed the filing on Thursday afternoon, saying also that the counter-affidavit included supposed bagman Orly Guteza&#x27;s recantation of his allegation that he delivered kickback money to Romualdez.</p><p>Another Romualdez lawyer, Atty. Ade Fajardo, previously said they also attached to the supplemental counter-affidavit sworn statements of 25 other former drivers and security aides of fugitive former lawmaker Zaldy Co.</p><p>Fajardo said the 25 dispute the claim that any deliveries were made. He said the former members of Co&#x27;s staff were invited to join a group of supposed witnesses in exchange for money.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/20/erwin-tulfo-blue-ribbon-leaving-guteza-recantation-to-ombudsman-1316"><strong>Erwin Tulfo: Blue Ribbon leaving Guteza recantation to Ombudsman<br/></strong></a></div><p>Romualdez has denied the allegations and said in July that he will submit to legal processes. </p><p>&quot;Naninindigan akong wala akong ginawang anumang labag sa batas. At handa akong patunayan ito,&quot; he said after his cousin President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. mentioned charges that would soon be filed against him.</p><p>(I maintain that I did nothing illegal. And I am ready to prove it.)</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RECANTATIONS</strong></div><p>Guteza said in a Blue Ribbon Committee hearing in September 2025 that he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez&#x27;s house in Taguig.</p><p>He has since retracted the allegation, saying former congressman Mike Defensor and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta had pressured him into making it up.  </p><p>The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed the recantation of witnesses — aside from Guteza, four other supposed Co bagmen have retracted their claims —  as a “pressure tactic”. </p><p>It said the probe on Romualdez would continue despite the withdrawal of testimonies.</p><p>The graft-busting body also said it has <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">28 witnesses to provide direct and material knowledge of transactions</a> being investigated in the cases involving the former speaker.</p>

<p>Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's lawyers have filed a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman on allegations against the Leyte congressman related to corruption in flood-control projects.</p>

Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez's lawyers have filed a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Office of the Ombudsman on allegations against the Leyte congressman related to corruption in flood-control projects.

Romualdez includes Guteza's recantation in supplemental counter-affidavit for Ombudsman

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Romualdez includes Guteza's recantation in supplemental counter-affidavit for Ombudsman

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 20, 2026 04:08 PM PHT

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Martin Romualdez

Orly Guteza

Office of the Ombudsman

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