Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez is set to submit a supplemental counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, supported by sworn declarations from 25 former drivers and security staff of former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co.
Counsel Atty. Ade Fajardo stated that the submission includes a formal recantation from Orly Guteza, a former soldier and ex-security aide to Co. Guteza has retracted his previous assertion that he transported cash-filled luggage to the former Speaker.
”They have come forward and directly contradicted the earlier accounts of the 18 Maleta Boys presented by Atty. Baligod,” Fajardo said.
According to Fajardo, the 25 former staff members denied delivering money to Romualdez or any other public official, claiming instead that they were offered financial compensation and pre-drafted affidavits to join a witness group.
”Ayon sa kanila, walang naganap na anumang delivery ng pera sa sinumang pulitiko o opisyal ng gobyerno, kabilang na si Rep. Romualdez. Hinikayat lamang silang sumali sa isang grupo ng mga testigo kapalit ng pera, at may mga affidavit nang inihanda para sa kanila,” Fajardo said.
”Si Orly Guteza naman, naglabas rin ng pahayag at idinetalye kung paanong ang mga akusasyon ay ipinilit sa kanya para tanggapin at pirmahan, bilang missing link na siya raw mag-uugnay daw kay Rep. Romualdez sa kaso,” the lawyer added.
Fajardo explained that Guteza’s latest statement details how he was allegedly pressured into signing pre-formulated claims intended to position him as the key link implicating Romualdez.
”Magkakasalungat ang mga kuwento. May mga bumabawi. May mga bagong testigong nagsasabing wala silang personal na kaalaman sa mga alegasyon,” Fajardo said.
The lawyer asserted that external parties coerced and induced individuals to implicate the lawmaker.
”Sa dami ng magkakasalungat na kwento, napaka klaro na walang ebidensya laban kay Rep. Romualdez,” Fajardo said.
Romualdez continues to deny all charges, with his legal team expressing confidence that an impartial evaluation will clear his name.
”We remain confident that in a fair investigating body, mapapatunayan naming walang basehan ang mga akusasyon laban kay Rep. Romualdez,” he said.