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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Despite Guteza recantation, Ombudsman says 28 witnesses ready to testify in Romualdez probe

Despite Guteza recantation, Ombudsman says 28 witnesses ready to testify in Romualdez probe

Published Aug 20, 2026 11:06 am

At A Glance

  • * The Ombudsman said Guteza's recantation would not stop its investigation involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
  • * According to the OMB, 28 active uniformed personnel with direct and material knowledge of the transactions under investigation are ready to cooperate.
  • * The anti-graft body vowed to continue its search for the truth and warned against efforts to obstruct or disrupt its proceedings.
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
(JEL SANTOS/MB FILE PHOTO)
Despite the recantation of Orly Guteza, a former security aide of resigned lawmaker Zaldy Co, the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) said 28 uniformed personnel still in active service are ready to provide direct and material information in its investigation involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
In a report by GMA-7, Guteza recanted his claim that he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez through a sworn affidavit dated Aug. 16. 
In the affidavit,  Guteza claimed that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor offered him money and scholarships for his children in exchange for fabricating accusations against Romualdez. He also alleged that they instructed him to go to a Japanese restaurant near the Senate, where an affidavit purportedly drafted by Defensor’s son-in-law, identified only as “Mark,” was waiting for him.
“Sa kabila nito, ipinapaalam ng Office of the Ombudsman na mayroon itong dalawampu’t-walong (28) testigo na nakahandang magbigay ng direkta at materyal na kaalaman sa mga transaksyong sinisiyasat sa kaso ni dating Speaker Martin Romualdez. Nasa ilalim na sila ng legal process sa ngayon (Despite this, the Office of the Ombudsman announces that it has 28 witnesses who are prepared to provide direct and material information on the transactions under investigation in the case of former Speaker Martin Romualdez. They are currently subject to legal process),” the OMB said in a statement released on Thursday, Aug. 20.
“Ito’y mga taong nakauniporme at aktibo pa rin sa serbisyo (They are uniformed personnel who remain in active service),” it added.
According to the OMB, recantations in high-profile cases are a common pressure tactic, but its investigation does not depend on only one or a few witnesses.
“Hindi bago ang recantation sa mga high-profile case. Classic pressure tactic ito. Hindi umiikot ang buong imbestigasyon sa iisa o kahit sa iilang witnesses (Recantations are not new in high-profile cases. This is a classic pressure tactic. The entire investigation does not revolve around one or even a few witnesses),” the anti-graft body said.
Likewise, the Ombudsman warned that compliance with its legal processes is mandatory and that anyone who obstructs its proceedings will be held accountable.
“Sa lahat ng nabigyan na o mabibigyan pa ng legal process, hindi choice ang pakikipagtulungan. Obligasyon ’yan sa batas (For everyone who has been or will be served with legal process, cooperation is not a choice. It is an obligation under the law),” it said.
“Sinuman ang mangahas humadlang, mangbara o manggulo sa proceedings ng Ombudsman ay haharap sa buong bigat ng batas (Anyone who dares to obstruct, impede, or disrupt the Ombudsman’s proceedings will face the full weight of the law),” it added.
The anti-graft body vowed to continue its investigation despite the recantation.
“Hindi hihinto ang paghahanap ng katotohanan kahit ayaw pang magsalita ninuman (The search for the truth will not stop even if some people remain unwilling to speak),” the OMB said.
On July 20, the OMB announced plans to file separate complaints against Romualdez and Co for alleged plunder and violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act in connection with purported flood control project anomalies.
RELATED STORIES:
Ombudsman Remulla accuses ex-speaker Romualdez's camp of hand in ex-bodyguards' recantation
Ombudsman special panel files supplemental complaint in alleged ₱56-B Romualdez case
Ombudsman to file plunder, money laundering raps vs Romualdez, Zaldy Co

Related Tags

Ombudsman Guteza Romualdez recantation uniformed personnel anti-graft investigation pressure tactic whistleblower legal process
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