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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Romualdez camp to file supplemental counter-affidavit; cites Orly Guteza recantation

Romualdez camp to file supplemental counter-affidavit; cites Orly Guteza recantation

Published Aug 20, 2026 10:21 am

At A Glance

  • Romualdez's camp prepared to file a supplemental counter-affidavit, set to include sworn statements from 25 former drivers and aides of Rep. Zaldy Co, along with the reported retraction of witness Orly Guteza.
  • Witnesses disputed earlier "Maleta Boys" claims, and asserted no money deliveries occurred to politicians and that they were pressured to join as witnesses in exchange for money with pre-prepared affidavits.
  • Fajardo highlighted conflicting testimonies, and noted retractions and new witnesses denying knowledge of allegations.
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)
Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez (PPAB)


The camp of former House Speaker, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez will be filing on Thursday, Aug. 20 a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Ombudsman following the reported recantation of flood control projects mess witness Orly Guteza.
"Representative Martin Romualdez will be filing today a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Ombudsman, attaching to it sworn statements of 25 other former drivers and security aides of Representative Zaldy Co," read a statement Thursday morning from Romualdez's lawyer, Ade Fajardo.
"Isasama na rin natin dyan ang napabalitang pagbaliktad ni Mr. Orly Guteza," noted Fajardo.
(We will also include here the reported retraction of Mr. Orly Guteza.)
He read the same statement in full during a press conference in Quezon City.
"They have come forward and directly contradicted the earlier accounts of the 18 'Maleta Boy's presented by Atty. [Levi] Baligod," the lawyer added.
Guteza’s surprise appearance before a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Sept. 25, 2025 caused much stir after he boldly claimed that he and several companions personally delivered several suitcases loaded with cash to the residences of Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez and then- Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.
Romualdez has repeatedly denied the allegations, which he described as fabricated, malicious, and politically motivated.
"Ayon sa kanila, walang naganap na anumang delivery ng pera sa sinumang pulitiko o opisyal ng gobyerno, kabilang na si Rep. Romualdez. HInikayat lamang silang sumali sa isang grupo ng mga testigo kapalit ng pera, at may mga affidavit nang inihanda para sa kanila," Fajardo said.
(According to them, no delivery of money happened to any politician or government official, including Rep. Romualdez. They were only encouraged to join a group of witnesses in exchange for money, and affidavits had already been prepared for them.)
Lawyer Ade Fajardo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
Lawyer Ade Fajardo (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)
"Si Orly Guteza naman, naglabas rin ng pahayag at idinetalye kung paanong ang mga akusasyon ay ipinilit sa kanya para tanggapin at pirmahan, bilang 'missing link' na siya raw mag-uugnay daw kay Rep. Romualdez sa kaso," he noted.
(Orly Guteza also released a statement detailing how the accusations were forced on him to accept and sign, as the supposed 'missing link' who would connect Rep. Romualdez to the case.)
Common denominator
Fajardo, a former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), said: "Magkakasalungat ang mga kuwento. May mga bumabawi. May mga bagong testigong nagsasabing wala silang personal na kaalaman sa mga alegasyon."
He underscored the common denominator in the statements, which was the existence of people who pushed and pressured these witnesses to implicate Romualdez in anomalous flood control projects payoffs.
"Sa dami ng magkakasalungat na kwento, napaka klaro na walang ebidensya laban kay Rep. Romualdez. Matagal na namin itong sinasabi—walang kinalaman si Rep. Romualdez sa mga paratang sa kanya," he said.
(With so many conflicting stories, it is very clear that there is no evidence against Rep. Romualdez.)
"We remain confident that in a fair investigating body, mapapatunayan naming walang basehan ang mga akusasyon laban kay Rep. Romualdez," Fajardo concluded.
Romualdez served as House Speaker during the previous 19th Congress and the first few months of the current 20th Congress. 

Related Tags

MARTIN ROMUALDEZ Orly Guteza flood control projects Ombudsman Senate Blue Ribbon Committee
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