Skip to content

‘Hindi na surprising’: Lacson says he saw ‘coached witness’ Guteza’s recantation coming

POLITIKO | politiko.com.ph

August 20, 2026

ping orly aug20 - POLITIKO

By Politiko staff

Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Thursday (Aug. 20) said he was not surprised by former Marine Orly Guteza’s decision to recant his statements linking Leyte 1st District Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez to alleged cash deliveries tied to the flood control scandal.

“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,” said Lacson.

Guteza was brought in by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to testify during the Sept. 23, 2025 flood control scandal hearing conducted by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.

During the hearing, the former Marine testified that he made cash deliveries to Romualdez upon the instructions of former congressman Elizaldy Co.

However, Guteza withdrew his testimony after four of the 18 so-called maleta boys made recantations of similar testimonies concerning cash deliveries to Romualdez and other government officials.

“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,” said Lacson.

In his recantation, Guteza alleged that Marcoleta and former congressman Michael Defensor approached him and offered money and scholarships for his children in exchange for testifying against Romualdez.—Politiko.com.ph

SEND AN EMAIL ↗ TO POLITIKO EDITOR

SHARE THIS!

READ MORE STORIES ON POLITIKO ABOUT:

Blue Ribbon committee, Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, flood control scandal, Maleta Boys, Orly Guteza, Panfilo Lacson, Rodante Marcoleta, Senate Hearing

Related Posts

Sara Duterte a ‘tremendous asset’ to PH – Romualdez
Romualdez sees surge in US investments: Investors confident of PH potential
‘A great void in public service’: Lagman a passionate and fearless legislator – Romualdez
Who’s telling the truth? Gov’t must hold accountable those behind Maleta boys confusion – Lacson
Lacson-Sotto blends with the Baguio crowd

POLITIKO | LATEST NEWS

‘Rex’-tructuring in order: Marcos pulls ‘dormant’ PCUP, NAPC from DSWD

August 20, 2026

‘Easily manufactured’: Romualdez defense seeks case dismissal as more witnesses recant

August 20, 2026

TRENDING

FRESH

1. ‘Di kawalan si Guteza! Ombudsman says 28 witnesses can pin Martin Romualdez

2. ‘Star witness’ Madriaga? Sara Duterte camp says detained witness is No. 1 on defense list

3. Mikee Romero retires from AFP Reserve Force: ‘Duty to people, country will endure’

Sara Duterte’s food aid drive reaches Lanao del Norte

August 20, 2026

Grace Poe honors FPJ on birth anniversary: ‘Nawa’y manatili pa rin siya sa puso ng mas maraming Pilipino’

August 20, 2026

TRENDING

FAST

1. Love knows no age: Tonypet Albano weds Fil-Am reportedly 30 years his junior

2. From P600 ‘ukay’ bags to P3.5M tuition: Queenie Pacquiao heads to US for college

3. Sinusulot para maka-16? Chiz Escudero reportedly wooing Jinggoy, Villars, Loren Legarda to convict Sara Duterte

UN’s Guterres seriously concerned by US sanctions on ICC

August 20, 2026

Thailand seeks new path to end deadly southern insurgency, negotiator says

August 19, 2026

TRENDING

FURIOUS

1. Sara supporters sibak! House strips key posts from lawmakers who opposed, skipped Duterte impeachment vote

2. Taguig trouble deepens: 42 projects flagged as ‘ghost,’ illegal reclamation evidence eyed vs Alan Cayetano

3. Firm of Zaldy Co’s lawyer reportedly linked to foiled ‘honeytrap’ vs. Ralph Recto

ADVERTISEMENT

POLITIKO | TRENDING IN REGIONS

POLITIKO | NORTH LUZON

Gov. Guico Warns vs. Fake News, AI-Generated Content

Mayor Awisan Brings Government Services Closer to Tapapan Residents

Gov. Singson Welcomes DILG Region V Delegation to Ilocos Sur

POLITIKO | SOUTH LUZON

Rep. Ramil Hernandez pushes discount for students’ cellphone load

Mayor Orlan Calayag distributes refrigerators for Child Development Centers

Mayor Cocoy Mendoza turns over new school facilities, thanks Rep. Aniela Tolentino for support

POLITIKO | CENTRAL LUZON

Mayor Mendoza assures aid to calamity-hit families in Hagonoy

San Luis LGU welcomes ChildFund Navotas for benchmarking activity

Dinalupihan LGU provides food packs to flood-affected residents

POLITIKO | BICOL/MIMAROPA

Villafuerte visits residents of Tigaon barangay

Ismail says fisherfolk beneficiaries to get rice packs

Umali joins disability rights week celebration in Roxas

POLITIKO | METRO MANILA

Laban sa Baha: Mayor Emi, PBBM Inspect Tripa de Gallina Pumping Station

Mayor Joy Partners with DPWH for Major Quezon City Flood Control Projects

Mayor Ruffy Biazon comes to aid of Muntinlupeño OFW who fell prey to human traffickers

POLITIKO | VISAYAS

Cebu councilor pushes biodiesel ordinance to tackle waste, flooding

Gov. Ongchuan explores healthcare partnership with Siemens Healthineers

9,136 NOHS students get free bags, school supplies from Bacolod

POLITIKO | MINDANAO

Maguindanao massacre victim’s daughter urges MTRCB to show 58th in local cinemas

Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte delivers aid to Davao City fire victims

Mayor Irick Agbon pushes faster business permits, data tracking system

ADVERTISEMENT

politiko_ads - POLITIKO

Facebook Twitter Youtube

Stay ahead in Philippine politics with POLITIKO. Your trusted source for timely and insightful news, shaping the narrative since 2014. #PhilippinePolitics

Navigation

Provincial News

About

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, views and opinions of MCD Multimedia Corporation. Any content provided by our authors or contributors are their opinion are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.

COPYRIGHT 2022 | POLITIKO | MCDM All Rights Reserved

MCD MULTIMEDIA

Today's Headlines

REGIONAL NEWS

LUZON

Bicol / MIMAROPA

VISAYAS

MINDANAO

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

CAMPUS POLITICS