By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.
MANILA, Philippines — The “trash” talk surrounding the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal might belong in the dustbin of history after all.
Months after disappearing from public view, Orly Guteza, a retired Marine and former security personnel of former lawmaker Zaldy Co, resurfaced to recant his statements about the alleged delivery of cash he described as “basura” (trash) to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. He blamed Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor for allegedly conspiring to fabricate the story.
In an Aug. 13 affidavit obtained by Inquirer on Wednesday, Aug. 19, Guteza admitted that he had no personal knowledge of the alleged delivery of “maleta” (suitcases) containing “basura” at Co’s Valle Verde property, as well as the alleged delivery to Romualdez’s residence in Forbes Park.
“Out of fear and anxiety, everything stated in the affidavit they prepared was something I claimed to have witnessed, even though it was not true; this included the statement that I took part in three deliveries of suitcases to the alleged residence of Speaker Martin Romualdez. I never had any direct contact with Speaker Romualdez, nor did I even see him at that address,” Guteza said in a mix of English and Filipino.
