Where is Orly Guteza? Marcoleta no contact with witness, says Lacson

The whereabouts of Orly Guteza, an alleged former aide of resigned Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, remains unknown, more than a month since he faced the Senate legislative inquiry into the alleged anomalous flood management projects.

During the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, Senator Erwin Tulfo asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Guteza's possible location.

The DOJ said it "would not be in any position to ascertain" the Guteza's whereabouts since he did not apply for the Witness Protection Program.

"The Department of Justice never had any interaction with him after that particular testimony.There was no representation made as to his interest in being covered by the program or being granted any protection," Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said.

"Inasmuch as there was no application made, we have not had, since the time of his testimony here before the Senate blue ribbon committee, any interaction with Mr. Guteza so we would not be in a position to say where he is right now or what his condition is," Fadullon said.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro-Tempore and Blue Ribbon chairperson Panfilo "Ping" Lacson said the Senate panel asked for assistance from Senator Rodante Marcoleta to locate Guteza but the solon said he had no contact with the witness.

"We sent an invitation to his known address, nakalagay sa kanyang driver's license sa Taguig. Pero even when the investigation was conducted by the executive judge, wala na po siya sa kanyang known address, last known address," said Lacson.

"So what we did in the Blue Ribbon ocmmittee, we sought the assistance of the Honorable Marcoleta. Kung sakali meron siyang contact o sa darating na panahon, magkakaroon siya ng contact ay tulungan niya tayo na malocate at para mapag-testify na muli si Technical Sergeant Guteza. So ang sagot po ni Honorable Marcoleta, wala rin po siyang contact kay Orly Guteza," he added.

(So what we did in the Blue Ribbon Committee, we sought the assistance of the Honorable Marcoleta and told him to contact us so we can locate and make Guteza testify again. But Marcoleta said he has no contact with Guteza.)

In September, Guteza faced the Senate panel probe after he was presented by Marcoleta. He said he is a former member of the Philippine Marines and was hired as a security aide of Co in December 2024. 

Guteza also alleged that he delivered luggage of money to the residences of  Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and former speaker Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez. 

However, in October, the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) found that the signature on Guteza's affidavit was not that of the lawyer whose name appeared on the document. Guteza has since disappeared from the public eye.—AOL, GMA Integrated News