Former Marine Orly Guteza Recants Corruption Allegations Against Martin Romualdez

Orly Guteza, a retired Marine and former security aide to former lawmaker Zaldy Co, has recanted his statements implicating former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in a multibillion peso flood control corruption scandal. In a sworn affidavit dated August 13, Guteza admitted that he had no personal knowledge of the delivery of suitcases containing cash to Romualdez's residence in Forbes Park or to Co's property in Valle Verde. He claimed that his previous testimony was untrue and was provided out of fear and anxiety.

Guteza alleged that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor conspired to fabricate the story. According to Guteza, he met the two politicians at a Japanese restaurant in Pasay City on September 24, 2025, where he was persuaded to link Romualdez to the budget kickback scheme. He claimed that Defensor's son in law wrote the statement on a laptop and that Senator Marcoleta personally edited the Tagalog text. Guteza further alleged that he was promised a reward of 150 million pesos and educational scholarships for his children in exchange for his testimony.

The recantation follows similar withdrawals by four other witnesses known as the maleta boys. While center left framing suggests this deals a huge blow to the Ombudsman's case build up, the Office of the Ombudsman downplayed the development. The Ombudsman stated that the recantation is a classic pressure tactic and noted that 28 other witnesses, who are uniformed personnel in active service, are ready to testify. Lawyer Ade Fajarda, representing Romualdez, denied any involvement in the recantations and stated that new evidence including statements from 25 former aides of Co would be submitted to the Ombudsman.