Metro Manila, Philippines – Senator Imee Marcos said her cousin, Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, may skip the Senate hearing on anomalous flood control projects on Friday, Nov. 14, while a number of witnesses – including one who had strongly implicated him – are poised to recant their testimonies.
Marcos volunteered this information in a chance interview with reporters on Wednesday, Nov. 12.
“Yung labimpitong congressman na lang ang hahatakin, hindi na star witness ang aking pinsan. ‘Yun ata ang original plan e,” Marcos said.
[Translation: The 17 congressmen will be the only ones summoned; my cousin will no longer be the star witness. I think that was the original plan.]
Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, chairman of the blue ribbon committee, earlier said the panel will invite 17 House of Representatives members whom controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya had named as alleged recipients of kickbacks from flood control projects. Romualdez, as well as former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, will also be invited, Lacson said.
Asked if she had information that Romualdez would skip the hearing, Marcos replied “Nagbago yata ang isip – nahiya rin sa sarili [Looks like he changed his mind – maybe he felt embarrassed, too].”
The senator also said she is certain that witnesses, including retired Marine Orly Guteza – who earlier claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash from the residence of Co to that of Romualdez – will retract their statements.
“Panoorin ninyo, sigurado ako diyan. Isa-isa iyan, na biglang babaligtad dahil prinessure, tinakot ang pamilya, at halos tinutukan ang asawa’t anak,” she said.
[Translation: Just watch – I’m sure of it. One by one, they’ll suddenly take back their statements because they were pressured, their families were threatened, and their spouses and children were nearly held at gunpoint.]
When asked if she was referring to Guteza, Marcos replied, “Alam na ninyo kung sino ’yung pinaka matindi ang testimonya [You know who has the most explosive testimony].”
NewsWatch Plus has reached out to Lacson for comment.
Marcos and Lacson have previously traded barbs, with Marcos criticizing Lacson’s handling of the flood control probe, and Lacson countering by questioning her absence from meetings and hearings.
Lacson stepped down as committee chairman last month amid the squabbling, only to be reelected on Tuesday.
