MANILA — The camp of former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Thursday seized on the recantation of former Marine Orly Guteza to argue that allegations linking the lawmaker to the flood control controversy remain unsupported by direct evidence, even as the Office of the Ombudsman vowed to press ahead with its investigation and disclosed that 28 other witnesses were willing to provide information.
Romualdez’s spokesperson, lawyer Ade Fajardo, said Guteza’s withdrawal of portions of his earlier testimony reinforced their position that no evidence directly implicates the former Speaker.
“Napakaklaro na walang ebidensya laban kay Cong. Romualdez. Matagal na naming sinasabi, walang kinalaman si Rep. Romualdez sa mga paratang sa kaniya,” Fajardo said.
Guteza had emerged as a surprise witness before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and claimed to have served as a bodyguard of former lawmaker Zaldy Co.
In his earlier testimony, Guteza linked Romualdez to allegations involving the supposed delivery of suitcases filled with money to the former Speaker’s residence.
But in a sworn affidavit dated Aug. 13, Guteza withdrew his previous statements and claimed that he had been used by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former Anakalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor.
“Hindi na rin ako kinontak ng opisina ni Sen. Marcoleta o Former Congressman Mike Defensor kaya doon ko natantiya na ginamit lang talaga nila ako, sapagkat huli na ang lahat na mga pangyayari at ako’y lubos na nagsisisi,” Guteza said.
The recantation, however, will not stop the Ombudsman’s investigation.
The anti-graft office said its inquiry does not depend solely on Guteza’s testimony, revealing that 28 witnesses have expressed willingness to provide information directly relevant to the case involving Romualdez.
“Hindi bago ang recantation sa mga high-profile case. Classic pressure tactic ito. Hindi umiikot ang buong imbestigasyon sa iisa o kahit sa ilang witnesses,” the Ombudsman said.
The agency said investigators would continue pursuing other lines of inquiry and gathering evidence from the other witnesses.
“Hindi hihinto ang paghahanap ng katotohanan kahit ayaw pang magsalita ninuman,” it added.
The Ombudsman also issued a warning against attempts to interfere with its proceedings as the investigation continues.
“Sinuman ang mangahas humadlang, mangbara o manggulo sa proceedings ng Ombudsman ay haharap sa buong bigat ng batas,” the agency said./PN
