Orly Guteza says he agreed to make false testimony out of fear

Orly Guteza said he was not simply bribed to make a false testimony—he did it because he was fearful as well.

On Wednesday, the former security aide of ex-lawmaker Zaldy Co recanted his initial affidavit claiming that he delivered suitcases of cash to former speaker Martin Romualdez.

According to a 24 Oras report from Maki Pulido, in his new affidavit Guteza said that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former House lawmaker Mike Defensor bribed him.

Guteza also said he questioned himself and why he did what he did, adding that he was carried away by sweet promises as well as by fear.

“Dala ng takot at pangamba. Lahat ng nakalahad sa affidavit na kanilang ginawa ay aking nasabi na nasaksihan ko kahit hindi ito totoo, pati ang pagsabi na napasama ako sa tatlong beses na delivery ng mga maleta sa allegedly bahay ni speaker Martin Romualdez sa Forbes Park. Wala nga akong naging direktang kontak o nakita man lang si speaker Romualdez sa nasabing address,” Guteza said in a video obtained by GMA News.

(I was carried away with fear and worry. Everything that was written in the affidavit I said that I witnessed even if it was not true, even when I said I was included in three deliveries of suitcases to the alleged house of the former Speaker Martin Romualdez in Forbes Park. I had no direct contact nor did I see speaker Romualdez in the said address.)

Guteza said that he regretted taking part in this issue, calling it a nightmare that he did not want to return to.

“Magulang ako para sa pamilya ko. Gusto ko ng tahimik na buhay para sa kapakanan ng pamilya ko,” Guteza said.

(I am a father to my family. I want a quiet life for the sake of my family.)

Aside from Guteza, four other men who had tagged Romualdez and other personalities in the flood control scam withdrew their accusations. One of them also said they wanted to go back to a quiet life. — Jean Mangaluz/BM, GMA News