Malacañang said the government’s investigation into alleged anomalies in flood control projects will continue despite the reported recantation of witness Orly Guteza, stressing that investigating bodies must pursue evidence and hold accountable those responsible for wrongdoing.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro said this after Guteza said in a new affidavit that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor had tapped him to make up accusations against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in exchange for money and scholarships for his children. 

In a press briefing on Thursday, Aug. 20, Castro said the government needs truthful accounts and that a recantation would not derail the broader investigation into alleged ghost and substandard flood control projects.

She added that the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), Senate, and other investigating bodies would continue examining the evidence, as she stressed that fabricated accounts could ultimately weaken efforts to prosecute those actually responsible.

“Ang nais naman po ng Pangulo ay laging ayon sa batas, hindi gawa-gawang ebidensiya (What the President wants is always for things to be in accordance with the law, not fabricated evidence),” she said.

The Palace Press Officer said the government would not be helped by false stories because these could undermine efforts to pursue those who should be held accountable.

The Senate had already turned over documents and other evidence it gathered to the Office of the Ombudsman, while the DOJ and other agencies would continue their respective investigations.

Castro also said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should report and seek investigation of any other suspected ghost or substandard projects that may be uncovered.

Castro said the reported recantation itself should also undergo scrutiny, noting that investigators must determine whether Guteza’s latest account is truthful.

“Dapat po ma-check, mabalanse lahat (Everything should be checked and balanced),” she said.

The Palace maintained that the administration’s priority is to establish the truth through due process, evidence, and the proper investigating bodies rather than rely on allegations that cannot be verified.

With Guteza’s recantation, Castro said those behind any effort to manufacture false statements or manipulate witnesses should be investigated and prosecuted if evidence warrants.

“Kung sino iyong mastermind sa pagpapagawa ng ganitong klaseng mga scenario, sampahan ng kaso (Whoever is the mastermind behind creating these kinds of scenarios should be charged),” she said.

The Palace official said the reported recantation raised concerns about attempts to use false witnesses, fabricated evidence, or misleading accounts to damage individuals and potentially destabilize the government.

“Ang nais lamang din po ng Pangulo ay dapat ang kuwento ay totoo (What the President wants is for the story to be true),” she said.

Castro also warned Filipinos against being enticed by offers of money to make false accusations against people who may be innocent or have no involvement in the alleged wrongdoing.

“Huwag tayong marahuyo, huwag tayong magpa-entice sa ino-offer na pera, para lang manira ng taong maaaring inosente o maaaring walang kinalaman sa gagawin ninyong akusasyon (Let us not be enticed or lured by offers of money just to destroy someone who may be innocent or may have nothing to do with the accusation you are making),” she said

At the same time, Castro urged people who genuinely have information about the flood control anomalies to come forward and cooperate with the government so that those actually responsible can be held accountable.

“Kung mayroon naman ding may alam ang katotohanan, para ma-pin down, mapanagot ang dapat mapanagot, maaari na rin po kayong lumabas at makipagtulungan sa gobyerno (If there are those who know the truth, so that those who should be held accountable can be identified and made to answer, you may also come forward and cooperate with the government),” she said.

Guteza, who appeared as a surprise witness at a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Sept. 25, last year, had claimed that he personally delivered suitcases containing millions of pesos to the residences of Romualdez and resigned Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, allegations both officials have denied.