A former security consultant of Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co has named former Hosue Speaker Martin Romualdez as one of the lawmakers whom he said is allegedly involved in the anomalous flood control project scandal.

Orly Guteza, Co’s security aide, said that as part of his job, he was assigned to carry and deliver luggages to certain locations starting when he was hired by the congressman in Dec. 5, 2024.

Guteza, a former soldier, said he used to report at the 56th floor of the Horizon Residences in Bonifacio Global City where Co is living.

A member of the Philippine Marines, Guteza first apologized to his colleagues in the military during his testimony and said that he only wanted to disclose whatever information he has for the future of the country.

Luggage of ‘garbage’

According to Guteza, he knew he was delivering luggages containing “basura” (garbage)—a term he coined for the piles of money he was carrying as part of his duty which approximately amounts to more or less P48-million each.

Whenever he is assigned to “garbage” duty, they would frequently go to 28th Ladybug corner Dragonfly Street in Valle Verde 6, Pasig City.

Certain individuals, he said, are expected to deliver suitcases containing money during “garbage duty.” This, in turn, will be received by a certain John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay—Co’s executive assistants. Both are assigned to count the money.

“Bago ibaba ang nasabing basura, ito ay bawas na. Halimbawa, nag-akyat kami ng 46 na maleta. Ibaba lang namin ay 35 na maleta para i-deliver sa mga bahay ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez sa 42 McKinley Street, Taguig. Ang 11 na maleta na naiwan sa taas sa 56th floor ng Horizon Residences (Before we unload the garbages, some have been deducted. Example is, if we brought up 46 luggages, only 35 luggages would be brought down for delivery to the house of (former) House Speaker  Martin Romualdez in 42 McKinley Street, Taguig. The other 11 will be left at the 56th floor of the Horizon Residence),” Guteza said.

“Mas maraming pagkakataon na nagde-deliver kami ng basura sa bahay ni Speaker Romualdez at sa bahay ni Cong. Zaldy Co dahil iba-iba kaming mga detained na close-in, back-up, at advanced party na nagkakaroon ng rotation  (There are many instances that we deliver these garbages in the house of Speaker Romualdez and the house of Cong. Zaldy Co because we were different personnel assigned as close-in security, back-up, and advanced party who were in rotation),” he said.

Guteza also sought to be included in the Witness Protection Program (WPP).

Moreover, the former security aide also said that they used to deliver money at the former house of a certain “Michael Yang.”

When Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson asked Guteza to clarify who “Michael Yang” is, Guteza said all he can remember is that they knew him as a personality involved in the Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO).

Asked if Romualdez was able to acquire “Michael Yang’s” property, Guteza said: “Allegedly, your honor.”