Lacson says lawyer's signature on Guteza's affidavit found fake

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Tuesday that the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) found that the signature on the affidavit of “surprise witness” Orly Guteza was not that of the lawyer whose name appeared on the document.

Lacson, who is expected to return as chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, said that while Guteza’s sworn statement in the flood control hearing remained “valid,” there is still an issue of credibility since he supposedly lied when he claimed that Atty. Petchie Rose Espera notarized his affidavit.

“May findings na, may resolution na ‘yung executive judge ng Manila RTC. Napatunayan na hindi talaga signature o pirma nung notaryo, si Atty. Espera, ‘yung kanyang sinumpaang sanaysay,” Lacson said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview.

(The executive judge of the Manila RTC already issued findings or a resolution. It was proven that the signature on his sworn statement was not that of the notary, Atty. Espera.)

To recall, Guteza was introduced in the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on September 25 by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, saying that the man reached out to him, through the help of former Anakalusagan party-list Representative Mike Defensor.

During his testimony, Guteza claimed being a former security consultant for former Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, and that he personally delivered suitcases of money to the residences of Co and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

Both have since denied the allegations, with Romualdez calling them falsehoods.

Espera, meanwhile, denied that she notarized Guteza’s affidavit, saying that the signature and notarial details attributed to her were “falsified and unauthorized.”

According to Lacson’s office, the Manila RTC executive judge recommended that Guteza and those responsible for presenting his affidavit “undergo preliminary investigation for falsification.”

Lacson said that regardless of the Manila RTC’s decision, the blue ribbon committee will still recognize Guteza’s statement during the blue ribbon hearing.

“It doesn't take away ‘yung validity ng kanyang sinumpaang salaysay sa harap naman ng Senado. Magkaiba ‘yun eh… ‘yung kanyang sinumpaang salaysay ay sinumpaan niya namang bukod sa harap ng blue ribbon committee,” the senator said.

(It doesn't take away the validity of his sworn statement in the Senate. That's different because he took an oath before the blue ribbon committee.)

“So mananatiling valid ‘yun at kikilalanin ‘yun. Even sa paggawa namin ng committee report, ay titignan namin ‘yun na ang presumption doon ay katotohanan kasi sumumpa siya na pawang katotohanan ‘yun,” he added.

(So that will remain valid and we will recognize that. Even when we make the committee report, we will recognize that because there’s a presumption that that is true because he swore that it was all true.)

GMA News Online is trying to secure a copy of the Manila RTC resolution and will update this story once available.

Lacson earlier said he will set the Senate blue ribbon committee’s next hearing on anomalous flood control projects on November 14, and will invite a “very important witness” to speed up the filing of cases, if reelected as its chairperson.

He said that the panel will issue an invitation or subpoena on Guteza, which will be coursed through the office of Marcoleta or Defensor.

“Madaming pwedeng tanungin sa kanya dahil while valid ang kanyang sinumpaang salaysay sa harap ng blue ribbon committee, may issue ng kredibilidad pagdating doon sa pag-amin niya o pagsabi niya na siya mismo ang nagpa-notaryo kay Atty. Espera ng kanyang sinumpaang salaysay na dala dala niya sa Senado,” Lacson said.

(A lot can be asked of him because while his sworn statement before the blue ribbon committee is valid, there is an issue of credibility when it comes to what he said that he had Atty. Espera notarize his affidavit which he brought to the Senate.)

Defensor previously said that “surprise witness” Orly Guteza is currently under the protection of his fellow ex-Marines. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News