Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confirmed that an executive judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court may issue a subpoena against Orly Guteza, the surprise witness presented by Senate Deputy Minority Leader Rodante Marcoleta at last week’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on anomalous flood control projects.
In an interview with DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, Lacson said they will leave it to the court to investigate Guteza.
This development comes after it was revealed that the notary used in Guteza’s affidavit during the Senate hearing was fake.
“Napag-alaman ko na kasama pala sa function ng executive judge, in this case, City of Manila kasi Ermita, Manila yung address ni Atty. Espera, so kasama pala sa function nya yung mag-imbestiga ng violation ng mga dokumento patungkol sa pagno-notaryo, yung mga notarized documents,” Lacson explained.
He added: “So ipauubaya namin yung aspeto na yun para malaman kung totoo bang humarap si Guteza na humarap siya sa dun sa notaryo publiko o kontra naman sa sinasabing nag-notarize na hindi.”
Lacson also confirmed that Senator Marcoleta himself may be summoned by the court since he was the one who brought Guteza to the hearing.
GUTEZA’S CREDIBILITY
Despite the notarization issue, Lacson clarified that Guteza’s testimony remains valid since it was still made under oath before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
“Hindi naman kasi alam mo, yung kanyang affidavit, sinumpaan nya rin naman yun sa Blue Ribbon eh so yung aspeto na yun, wala akong nakikitang problema,” Lacson said.
However, he added: “Kung mapapatunayan na nag-sinungaling siya, kasi tinanong siya ni Sen. Marcoleta, ikaw ba ay nagtungo sa notaryo? Ikaw ba mismo nagpa-notarize? Sumagot siya ng opo, so ibig sabihin, kung sa aspeto na yun nakapagsinungaling siya… medyo maski papaano, magiging suspect yung kanyang testimonya.”
Lacson also confirmed that the Blue Ribbon Committee will temporarily suspend its hearings next week to prioritize deliberations on the proposed 2026 national budget.