Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson stated that the recantation of former Marine Orly Guteza regarding his allegations against former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez was predictable, pointing out that Guteza was previously identified as a coached witness during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last year.
Lacson noted that the reversal came as no surprise following the September 23, 2025 hearing, where Senator Rodante Marcoleta was seen directing Guteza’s responses. This development mirrors similar retractions made by other individuals associated with the “Maleta boys.”
“Since on record naman sa hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee na coached witness ni Sen. Marcoleta si Guteza at naka-live pa nga, hindi na surprising na babaliktad siya balang araw,” the senator noted.
“Naging ‘one dime a dozen’ na ang baliktaran ng testimonya ng mga ‘Maleta boys’ kaya hindi na rin surprising na ang original ‘Maleta Boy’ a.k.a. Basura na si Orly Guteza ay bumaliktad na rin,” he added.
According to Lacson, the recurring retractions from Guteza and related witnesses suggest a scheme to financially exploit their alleged roles in the flood control controversy.
“Sa lingguahe ng mga mandurugas, ‘lagareng hapon’ yata ang tawag nila diyan – doble-kita, or 40-40 vision,” he remarked.
The senator previously highlighted that Marcoleta was seen coaching Guteza on the contents of his affidavit during the Blue Ribbon proceedings.
Additionally, Lacson—who formerly chaired the panel—stated that Senate security footage captured Guteza spending approximately 30 minutes in Marcoleta’s office prior to his committee appearance.
Following a period out of the public eye, Guteza resurfaced to withdraw his prior claims, now alleging that Marcoleta and former Anakalusugan Party-list Representative Mike Defensor offered him monetary compensation and educational scholarships for his children in exchange for his testimony.