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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Lacson: Background check on surprise witness Guteza needed

Lacson: Background check on surprise witness Guteza needed

Published Sep 26, 2025 09:11 am

At A Glance

  • According to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, the awyer whose signature and notarial details that appeared in Orly Guteza's affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document.

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo "Ping" M. Lacson on Friday, September 26, said that a full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on "surprise witness" Orly Regala Guteza is needed due to the gravity of his testimony during Thursday's Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing.

Lacson, chairman of the blue ribbon panel, noted that Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, was presented before the committee Thursday, September 25, without even the courtesy of notice.

In his testimony to the committee, Guteza claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash, which he codenamed "basura (trash)", to the homes of Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

The former House Speaker, Romualdez, has denied the allegations.

Further complicating matters was that the lawyer whose signature and notarial details that appeared in Guteza's affidavit denied notarizing or preparing the document, Lacson said.

"Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday," Lacson said in a post on X.

https://x.com/iampinglacson/status/1971359874543124834

It was Sen. Rodante Marcoleta who presented Guteza to the hearing. Marcoleta claimed Guteza was referred to him by former Rep. Michael Defensor.

Falsified, unauthorized

Later on, Atty. Petchie Rose Espera issued a statement denying notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of Guteza's affidavit.

She claimed that the signature and notarial details attributed to her were "falsified and unauthorized."

Co can appear in Blue Ribbon probe

Lacson also said he sees no issue for the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to have Co appear in its investigation into the anomalous flood control projects.

Co may choose to voluntarily appear since inter-parliamentary courtesy is not accorded to individual members of the House but to the institution that those members represent, Lacson explained.

“(The inter-parliamentary courtesy) tradition is not accorded, not to individual members of either house, it is accorded to the institution,” he said.

Related Tags

ping lacson Senate Blue Ribbon Committee flood control probe
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