PGMN Anchor and former Comelec Commissioner Bing Guanzon slammed Orly Guteza after he dragged her into his recantation affidavit and abruptly reversed his testimony to side with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, urging the Office of the Ombudsman to charge him with perjury.
Guteza’s recantation was contained in a sworn affidavit dated Aug. 13, where he withdrew his earlier claim that he helped deliver suitcases filled with cash to former House Speaker Romualdez. He instead accused Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former Rep. Mike Defensor of influencing his earlier testimony before the Senate.
Guteza also claimed that after his Senate appearance, someone from Marcoleta’s office gave him the contact number of a certain “Atty. Guanzon,” allegedly to help him prepare an affidavit.
Guanzon denied any involvement and called for Guteza to be held accountable for reversing his testimony.
“Ombudsman should file a perjury complaint against Guteza and add him as accused with Romualdez. Ombudsman cited Guteza’s affidavit as one of the pieces of evidence against Martin Romualdez and now bumaliktad siya. Siyempre dahil sa maleta,” Guanzon said.
Guteza’s credibility is now facing scrutiny. In September, he testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, claiming he personally helped transport suitcases of cash while serving as a security aide.
The controversy has also been compounded by recantations from other former security personnel involved in the flood-control investigation. Those who continue to stand by their original statements have alleged efforts to buy off witnesses, with former Marine George Villalon Jr. claiming offers of ₱20 million to ₱25 million, while lawyer Levito Baligod said initial offers of ₱5 million later increased. No public evidence, however, has been presented showing that Guteza himself received any payment.
On Thursday, the Office of the Ombudsman downplayed the potential impact of the recantations on its investigation into Romualdez. The Ombudsman described recantations in high-profile cases as a “classic pressure tactic” and stressed that the probe does not hinge on one or a few witnesses, saying 28 witnesses are prepared to provide direct and material information on the transactions under investigation.
