Zaldy Co aides deny Guteza claims on cash deliveries to Romualdez

Metro Manila, Philippines - Two former colleagues of a lawmaker’s former security detail have refuted the latter’s claims in the Senate, and denied knowledge of alleged deliveries of suitcases filled with cash to the residences of then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

During the blue ribbon committee’s sixth hearing on alleged anomalies in flood control projects on Thursday, Sept. 25, Guteza, a witness presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, named two persons - Mark Bunagan and Allan Colesio - as among his colleagues involved in the alleged deliveries.

However, on Friday, Sept. 26, the Ako Bicol party-list released separate affidavits from Bunagan and Colesio who disputed Guteza’s testimony. They denied Guteza’s role as a security consultant, and described him instead as a personal assistant to the Co family, similar to their roles.

“Sa buong panahon na kami’y magkasama sa trabaho, wala akong natatandaan, naririnig o nababasa ukol sa umano’y pagdadala ng male-maletang pera sa iba’t ibang lugar,” the two stated, even refuting the specific addresses Guteza had mentioned.

Guteza had also claimed that some of the deliveries took place at the Aguado Residence in Malacañang, purportedly intended for Romualdez.

Guteza introduced himself as a security consultant for the party-list, specifically assigned to Rep. Zaldy Co and read a sworn affidavit stating that between December 2024 and his resignation in August, he and fellow security aides delivered multiple suitcases of cash - referred to as “basura” (garbage) - from Co’s homes to Romualdez’s residences.

In a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the claim requires proof. She said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will not interfere in the investigation that may include Romualdez, his cousin.

Castro cast doubt on Guteza’s credibility, noting that the lawyer named in the affidavit had denied notarizing the document. The lawyer said the signature and notarial details attributed to her were “falsified and unauthorized.”

“So kung may maliit na bagay na ikaw ay nakakapag sinungaling paano pa kung mas malalaking bagay?” Castro said.

[Translation: If you can lie on small things, what more for bigger items?]

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who chairs the blue ribbon, earlier said a thorough background check is necessary due to the “gravity and seriousness” of Guteza’s claims. He also noted that Marcoleta brought Guteza in as a “totally surprise witness,” without prior notice or courtesy to him as the committee chair.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously announced that the National Bureau of Investigation would recommend charges against Romualdez. However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Friday that the former Speaker is not included in the list of individuals recommended to be charged, citing the alleged falsification of Guteza’s notarized affidavit and his failure to appear at the DOJ’s scheduled evaluation on Friday morning.