Orly Guteza recants statement on delivering cash to Martin Romualdez

Orly Guteza, a former soldier and a former security aide of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co, has recanted his statement that he delivered suitcases of cash to former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

According to MakiPulido's exclusive report on "24 Oras," Guteza executed a new affidavit, claiming that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former House lawmaker Mike Defensor had tapped him to make up accusations against the Leyte congressman in exchange for money and scholarships for his children.

Guteza claimed that he was told to go to a Japanese restaurant near the Senate, where a drafted affidavit was waiting for him. The draft was allegedly prepared by Defensor’s son-in-law, “Mark”.

“Sinimulan na ni Senator Marcoleta basahin ang ginawa ni Mark na affidavit basi sa sinabi ni
former Cong. Mike Defensor. Sabi niya, ‘Pare, ayusin ko ang Tagalog.’ Doon mismo sa harapan ko," Guteza said.

"Inaayos ni Senator Marcoleta ang affidavit na iyon, at sabi ni former congressman Mike Defensor, si Mark kasi ‘di marunong mag-Tagalog,” he added.

(Senator Marcoleta had started reading the drafted affidavit by Mark based on what former Congressman Mike Defensor said. He said, ‘Fix the Tagalog.’ It was right in front of me. Senator Marcoleta fixed the affidavit, and former Congressman Mike Defensor said Mark did not know how to speak Tagalog well.)

GMA News is still attempting to get Defensor and Marcoleta’s side, and will update the story once they respond.

The video was given to GMA News by Atty. Melvin Calimag, the new lawyer who notarized Guteza’s affidavit.

Guteza said that he had overheard Defensor and Marcoleta talking about P150 million making them happy. They allegedly spoke about preparing the affidavit, saying that this was the missing link to tag Romualdez.

“Ako ay napilitanan sabihin para sa kanya, ‘sige po sir’, kung ito ang paraan makatulong ako. Kaya lang inalala ko pag-aaral ng anak ko, nag-promise ng cash at education scholarship si former congressman Mike Defensor,” Guteza said.

(I was forced to tell him ‘Okay, sir, ’ if this is to help. Then I remembered my children’s education. Defensor promised cash and an education scholarship.)

On September 25, 2025, Guteza served as a surprise witness when Marcoleta was the chairman of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee looking into flood control investigations.

He said that he was Co’s security aide, claiming that he was part of a team that delivered suitcases filled with cash to Romualdez.

In his new statement, Guteza said Marcoleta allegedly pulled him aside before the Senate hearing and told him not to stray from the affidavit. When he ad-libbed from the script, Marcoleta scolded him.

After the hearing, Guteza no longer heard from Marcoleta and Guteza. At this point, Guteza said he realized he was just used.

Now, Guteza said he regretted what he did.

“Kinakausap ko ang misis ko na nanghihingi ako ng kapatawaran. Kasi nadala ako sa matatamis na salitang pangako nina former Congressman Mike Defensor at Senador Marcoleta kaya ako nagpagamit ng husto,” Guteza said.

(I spoke with my wife, and I am asking for forgiveness. Because I was swayed by a sweet promise from former Congressman Mike Defensor and Senator Marcoleta, I was completely used.)

The statement that Guteza recanted is part of the evidence that the Ombudsman is going through in the corruption cases against Romualdez. The Office of the Ombudsman said that they are still waiting for the new affidavit before issuing a comment.

Other than Guteza, four other ex-security aides of Co recanted their statements tagging Romualdez and other personalities in the flood control scam. –Jean Mangaluz/NB, GMA News