Bicol Saro Party-list Representative Terry Ridon has called on former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Ferdinand Martin Romualdez and former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co to personally face the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation into the alleged anomalies in government flood control projects.
Ridon said it would be best for both Romualdez and Co to confront the accusations made by retired Marine Orly Guteza, following a court ruling declaring that the notarization of Guteza’s sworn affidavit submitted to the Senate inquiry was fake.
The decision was issued by Manila Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Carolina Icasiano Sison, confirming that the notarial seal on Guteza’s affidavit — which was used as testimony in the Senate hearings — was falsified.
In Guteza’s sworn statement, he claimed that he personally delivered billions of pesos in cash-packed suitcases to the residences of Romualdez and Co as alleged commissions from anomalous flood control projects.
According to Ridon, the court’s ruling on the fake notarization has weakened Guteza’s credibility as a witness and may expose him to charges of document falsification.
He further emphasized that legislative inquiries in both the Senate and House rely heavily on the authenticity of documents presented during proceedings.