MANILA – Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the credibility of Orly Regala Guteza — the man who surfaced claiming he once worked as a security consultant for Ako Bicol party-list’s Cong. Zaldy Co — must first be scrutinized through a thorough background and records check.
The lawmaker issued the statement a day after Senator Rodante Marcoleta unexpectedly brought Guteza before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which Lacson chairs.
The witness’ sudden appearance caught even the presiding senator off guard, he admitted in a social media post on Friday.
“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.
Lacson’s office later said that the lawyer listed as the notary in Guteza’s sworn affidavit denied having prepared or notarized the document.
During Thursday’s hearing, Guteza alleged that he regularly transported suitcases filled with cash to the homes of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Each delivery, he said, amounted to about P48 million, and the routine went on three times a week from December 2024 until his resignation last August.
Romualdez immediately rejected the testimony, calling it “flawed” and “clearly political and the product of coaching.”/PN
