Philippine Navy Denies Custody of Key Senate Witness in Flood Control Scandal

The Philippine Navy stressed that Orly Regala Guteza is not covered by the protection of the Marine Corps and that the institution has no connection to his personal undertakings. It further assured the public of the Navy’s professionalism and nonpartisan stance.

In a statement, the Philippine Navy clarified that Guteza has been retired from the Philippine Marine Corps since June 30, 2020. The Navy emphasized that as a retired serviceman, Guteza is no longer under the administrative authority of the agency. It added that any activities he engages in are done solely in his personal capacity.

Guteza earlier appeared before a Senate hearing to testify on alleged irregularities in flood control projects. However, it was later discovered that the signature of lawyer Atty. Petchie Rose Espera in his sworn affidavit had been forged. The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 has since recommended the filing of a falsification case against Guteza.

“How much more fakery can we take?” Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson asked Thursday after dismissing as false the claim that former T/Sgt. Guteza was

under the custody of the Philippine Marines.

According to Lacson, Philippine Marines Commandant Maj. Gen. Vincent Blanco III confirmed that Guteza was never under Marine custody, contrary to the statement made by former Representative Michael Defensor.

“As per verification made with the Marine Commandant, MGen Vince Blanco (PMA Class ’91), through fellow cavaliers, Guteza is not and has never been under their custody. How much more fakery can we take?” Lacson posted on X.

Defensor had earlier claimed in a television interview that Guteza was under Marine custody. Guteza was presented as a “witness” at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on September 25 by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who said Defensor introduced Guteza to him.

Lacson also revealed that the Executive Judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court found that the signature in Guteza’s notarized affidavit did not match the authentic signature of Atty. Espera. The court recommended a preliminary investigation against Guteza and those who submitted his affidavit for possible falsification charges.

Furthermore, Lacson said Senate CCTV footage showed Guteza arriving at the Senate on September 25 at 8:27 a.m., stopping by Marcoleta’s office for about 30 minutes before proceeding to the session hall gallery where the hearing was being held.

Guteza previously admitted to delivering suitcases of cash to the homes of former congressman Elizaldy Co and House Speaker Martin Romualdez — a claim that Romualdez has denied.

Lacson emphasized that while Guteza’s testimony before the Blue Ribbon Committee remains on record, the new revelations could affect his credibility.

However, Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who presented retired Marine T/Sgt. Orly Guteza during the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, described him as the “most credible witness.”

Marcoleta criticized what he called attempts to discredit Guteza after the Manila Regional Trial Court declared his sworn affidavit falsified.

The senator insisted that the controversy was being used to divert attention from Guteza’s serious allegations against Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, who were accused of receiving kickbacks from corruption in flood control projects.

He added that Guteza was the one who linked the names of Co and Romualdez. “But the most important thing is that Guteza was able to connect the dots from Zaldy Co to Martin Romualdez,” he stressed.

Despite the court’s order to file a case against Guteza for allegedly forging the signature of notary public Atty. Petchie Rose Espera, Marcoleta came to his defense.

“The notary public [service] in this country has become a cottage industry. There’s really no lawyer there… Maybe [Espera] didn’t sign. But she allowed somebody to sign for her,” he said.

Marcoleta then called on his fellow lawmakers to stop focusing on minor issues and instead determine who is truly behind the corruption scheme.