The Office of the Ombudsman clarified that a witness’s recantation does not erase their original affidavit. Instead, it adds another piece of material evidence that investigators must carefully evaluate to determine the truth.
The anti-graft agency issued the clarification following renewed calls from Atty. Ade Fajardo, legal counsel for former House Speaker and Leyte 1st District Representative Martin Romualdez, to dismiss corruption allegations involving flood control projects.
Fajardo argued that the case lacks merit after 32 individuals—including Orly Guteza, the alleged courier for former Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Zaldy Co—retracted their earlier statements.
In response, the Ombudsman emphasized that sworn testimonies and their subsequent recantations will be examined side by side to establish credibility.
“Hindi eraser ang recantation. In fact, dagdag ebidensya po iyon. Dahil dalawa ang statement, itatabi ang dalawa at susuriin kung alin sa dalawa ang toto,” stated Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano, the agency’s official spokesperson.
Clavano pointed out that conflicting statements inevitably mean one version is false, raising critical questions for investigators to address.
“Hindi eraser ang recantation. Actually, ibig po sabihin, isa sa statements ay sinungaling. Alin po ba dito ang talagang pinanindigan nung mga tao? Bakit biglang nagtago pagkatapos mag-recant? Bakit maraming info na binayaran para mag-recant? Ito ang mga dapat tanungin,” Clavano explained.
The spokesperson also cautioned against efforts to confuse the public regarding the legal weight of a witness backing out of a prior statement.
“Hindi eraser ang recantation. Pero gusto ng iba na malito ang taumbayan sa meaning ng recantation,” he added.
The agency’s stance comes weeks after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed on July 17 that his office was nearing the filing of plunder charges against Romualdez over the controversial flood control projects.