MANILA—Senate President Pro Tempore and Blue Ribbon Committee Chairman Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said Friday that a full record check and background investigation (RCBI) on Orly Regala Guteza, a “surprise witness” at Thursday’s hearing, is necessary due to the gravity of his testimony.

Guteza, who claims to be a former Marine and ex-security consultant of Rep. Elizaldy Co, appeared before the committee without prior notice, Lacson noted.

“Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in yesterday’s Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony yesterday,” Lacson said in a post on X.

During the hearing, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta presented Guteza, saying he was referred to him by former Rep. Michael Defensor. Guteza alleged that he delivered suitcases of cash, codenamed “basura (trash),” to the homes of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez denied the allegations.

Further raising questions about the affidavit presented by Guteza, lawyer Petchie Rose Espera denied notarizing, signing, or preparing the document, calling the signature and notarial details attributed to her “falsified and unauthorized.”

Lacson, meanwhile, said there is no issue for the committee to summon Co for its investigation into alleged corruption in flood control projects. Co may choose to voluntarily appear, he added, noting that inter-parliamentary courtesy is accorded to the institution that a member represents, not to individual members.

“(The inter-parliamentary courtesy) tradition is not accorded not to individual members of either house, it is accorded to the institution,” Lacson said.

He also assured that Sunwest and former Ilocos Sur Governor Luis Singson would be invited to the next hearing.