Ombudsman Boying Remulla said that the complaints against Martin Romualdez in the flood-control investigation remain strong despite witness recantations, describing the moves as desperate attempts by the former House Speaker’s camp to gain good publicity.
The statement came after several witnesses linked to the investigation withdrew earlier statements cited in complaints involving Romualdez.
“I don’t think [the recantations] affect us. They’re just trying to make their publicity [look good], to make people doubt that we have a strong case. We have a strong case. It does not rise and fall with those testimonies,” Remulla said in a media interview.
One of the witnesses who recanted was retired Marine Orly Guteza, a former security aide to former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co. Guteza previously testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in 2025 about alleged cash deliveries linked to the flood-control controversy. He later submitted a recantation affidavit dated Aug. 13, 2026, saying he had no personal knowledge of the alleged deliveries and claiming he had been pressured to make the statements.
Other former security aides of Co also withdrew their earlier claims. Four of the 18 individuals identified as Co’s former bodyguards recanted allegations that they delivered suitcases containing cash to Romualdez and other officials.
The controversy also included allegations of financial offers tied to the recantations. One witness claimed that some individuals were offered between ₱20 million and ₱25 million to withdraw their statements.
The Ombudsman has maintained that its investigation does not rely on a single witness or a small number of testimonies. The office said 28 other witnesses remain available to provide direct and material information in the case involving Romualdez, including some active uniformed personnel.
Remulla’s statement comes as the Ombudsman continues to deepen its probe into Romualdez, whom the office has described as the alleged “mastermind” of a ₱56-billion kickback scheme.
