MANILA – Retired mariner Orly R. Guteza has recanted his testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September 2025, alleging that he was pressured by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor to make statements implicating then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez in alleged cash deliveries linked to the flood control controversy.

In a sworn statement, Guteza said he was persuaded to testify during a meeting with Defensor and Marcoleta at a Japanese restaurant near the Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City on Sept. 24, 2025, a day before his appearance before the Senate panel.

Guteza claimed Defensor initially asked him to say that they had been transporting suitcases containing money from the residence of then-Congressman Zaldy Co.

He said he denied having seen money being delivered or suitcases being counted, but Defensor allegedly insisted that he claim he had witnessed such activities.

Guteza said Defensor then instructed Mark, the husband of his daughter, to prepare an affidavit containing the allegations.

According to Guteza, Marcoleta arrived at the restaurant later that afternoon and reviewed the document.

He alleged that Marcoleta personally edited portions of the affidavit and told him that his account was the “missing link” needed to connect the allegations involving Co to Romualdez.

Guteza further claimed that Marcoleta told him to allege that he had participated in three deliveries of suitcases to the alleged residence of Romualdez in Forbes Park.

He now says that allegation was untrue.

“Wala nga akong naging direktang kontak o nakita man lang si SP Romualdez sa nasabing address,” Guteza said in his sworn statement.

He also alleged that Marcoleta repeatedly pressured him to proceed with the affidavit and told him he would be paid.

Guteza claimed Defensor likewise promised him cash and an educational scholarship for his children.

“Babasahin mo lang yan at mababayaran ka naman,” Guteza quoted Marcoleta as telling him.

Guteza said fear, financial concerns and the promises made to him eventually led him to agree to testify despite knowing that some of the statements he would make were not true.

He also alleged that Marcoleta instructed him before the Senate hearing to focus only on what was written in the affidavit.

During the Sept. 25, 2025 hearing, Guteza said Marcoleta presented him as a resource person. He claimed Marcoleta reprimanded him when he went “ad lib” and told him to follow the contents of the affidavit.

Guteza acknowledged that he himself participated in the process and admitted that he had the date on the notarized affidavit changed from 2025 to 2024 before proceeding to the Senate.

He said he later regretted his testimony and questioned why he had allowed himself to be used.

“Napakabilis nang pangyayari at litong-lito ako sa mga panahong iyon,” Guteza said, adding that he had been persuaded by what he described as promises and “matatamis na salita.”

Guteza also claimed that a person from Marcoleta’s office contacted him on Sept. 27, 2025 and gave him the contact details of former Commission on Elections chairperson and lawyer Rowena Guanzon, allegedly so he could seek assistance in correcting the affidavit for possible use in filing a case.

He said he did not contact Guanzon.

Guteza said he eventually decided to make the sworn statement to disclose what he described as the circumstances surrounding his original testimony and to protect himself and his family from being used again.

The allegations contained in Guteza’s recantation have yet to be independently established.

The original affidavit, the Senate hearing records and other evidence presented before the Blue Ribbon Committee would have to be examined alongside Guteza’s new sworn statement to determine the extent and circumstances of the alleged discrepancies.

Marcoleta and Defensor have yet to respond to the allegations contained in the recantation.