'Surprise witness' at Senate flood control hearing no show at DOJ

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said Orly Regala Guteza, the "surprise witness" who claimed that he delivered money for former Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol party-list Representative Zaldy Co, failed to attend a meeting Friday with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla. 

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano said Guteza was scheduled to go to the DOJ at 9:30 a.m., following the latter's request to be included in the department's witness protection program due to fear for his and his family's lives. 

"The SOJ was expecting him this morning. He did not show up for his appointment with the Secretary," Clavano said. 

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday, Guteza identified himself as a former security consultant for Co. He said he personally delivered suitcases of money to the residences of Co and Romualdez, claiming that each of these contained about P48 million in cash.

He also said he delivered money for both congressmen three times a week from December 2024 until he resigned in August this year. 

Romualdez and Co have denied the allegations. 

Clavano said only contractors Sarah Discaya and Sally Santos, as well as dismissed Bulacan first district engineer Henry Alcantara, went to the DOJ on Friday for further evaluation.

The DOJ spokesperson also said the agency is now validating information that the lawyer whose name and signature appear on the sworn statement of Guteza has denied notarizing such a document. 

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, chairman of the Senate blue ribbon committee, said Friday that a full record check and background investigation on Guteza is necessary due to the gravity of his allegations. 

Lacson also emphasized that Guteza was presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta in the hearing "without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman." — VDV, GMA Integrated News