Zaldy Co ex-security detail names Romualdez in flood control kickbacks

Metro Manila, Philippines - A former security detail of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co implicated presidential cousin Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez in high-stakes flood control project payoffs through suitcases of cash delivered to the former House speaker’s residence.

Orly Guteza was a surprise witness brought in by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta to the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing on Thursday, Sept. 25.

Marcoleta told senators that Guteza approached him after he realized that he had participated in the alleged anomalies and corruption.

In his affidavit, Guteza said he was hired in December and part of his duty was to transport money - coded as “basura (garbage)” - packed in suitcases, each containing around ₱48 million.

Guteza said he was a retired navy officer, particularly a member of the Philippine Marine Corps’ intelligence unit.

He said he learned of the amount based on what was written on sticky notes on the luggage.

Guteza said Co’s executive assistants will first count the money inside the suitcases in the former House appropriations committee chairperson’s residence in Pasig City before transporting these to another residence of Co in Taguig City.

“Bago ibaba ang nasabing basura, ito ay bawas na. Halimbawa, nag-akyat kami ng 46 maleta, ibababa lang namin ay 35 maleta para i-deliver sa mga bahay ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Guteza told senators, adding that the rest of the money remained with Co.

[Translation: Before we transported the money, the amount was already reduced. For example, there were 46 suitcases in Co’s residence; we would only deliver 35 suitcases to the residence of House Speaker Martin Romualdez.]

Guteza said he took part in the cash deliveries to the residences of Co and Romualdez only in three instances, adding that the deliveries were done three times a week. He said he quit last month.

He said in the first instance, 35 suitcases were sent, around 12 to 13 for the second, and another 15 in the third. In each instance, the suitcases were transported through two to three cars.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had said the anti-corruption crackdown - through the probe body Independent Commission for Infrastructure - will not spare his relatives or political allies.

Guteza also implicated Benguet Rep. Eric Go Yap to the alleged cash deliveries.

Congressmen denial

Yap, then-House appropriations panel chairperson and represented ACT-CIS party-list during the 18th Congress, denied the accusation.

“I have never accepted, nor authorized, the delivery of money in connection with flood control projects. These claims are untrue,” Yap said in a statement.

Romualdez also slammed the testimony, calling it an “an outright and complete fabrication - nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist.”

“The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. Imposible iyan [That’s impossible]. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers,” he said in a statement.

Romualdez said he will break his silence since his resignation as House speaker and fight back with evidence.

Co has yet to make a statement, but he had denied involvement in alleged flood control anomalies.

State witness

Guteza also told the Senate that he wants to be under the Witness Protection Program for his and his family’s safety.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said Guteza may be considered for security protection.

“If he’s not part of the crime, then it’s easier for us. The evaluation stage can be cut shorter,” Remulla said.

The retired marine officer said he may not need Senate protective custody for now.