By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency
Malacañang said Thursday that the recantation of former security aide Orly Guteza should prompt authorities to investigate whether he was manipulated into making false allegations in the ongoing probe into the flood control scandal.
Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said the Office of the Ombudsman, Department of Justice (DOJ), and other investigating bodies should determine whether Guteza’s original testimony or his subsequent recantation is truthful, and identify those who may be behind any alleged fabrication.
“Kung sino ang mastermind sa pagpapagawa ng ganitong klaseng mga scenario, sampahan ng kaso,” Usec. Castro said during a Palace briefing.
Guteza, a retired Marine and former security aide of former Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, recently recanted his earlier testimony that he delivered suitcases containing cash to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez in connection with an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
In an affidavit dated Aug. 13, Guteza said he had no personal knowledge of the alleged cash deliveries and accused Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor of allegedly pressuring him to make the claims.
Usec. Castro said the Palace considers the alleged use of false witnesses and fabricated evidence a serious concern because it could undermine efforts to hold those responsible for irregularities genuinely accountable.
“Mas makakasira siya sa paghabol sa mga tao na dapat managot, mas hindi siya magiging epektibo,” she said.
She said the government will not automatically accept either Guteza’s original testimony or his recantation, stressing that both accounts must be subjected to verification.
“So dapat po ma-check, mabalanse lahat,” Usec. Castro said.
The Ombudsman, meanwhile, has said that Guteza’s recantation would not stop its investigation, citing 28 other witnesses with direct and material information on transactions under investigation involving Romualdez.
Usec. Castro said the flood control investigation remains ongoing, with the Ombudsman and DOJ continuing their respective probes.
Documents and evidence gathered by the Senate have also been turned over to the Ombudsman, she said.
Usec. Castro said President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has not issued a specific reaction to Guteza’s recantation but reiterated that the administration wants investigations to proceed based on due process, the law, and evidence.
“Ang nais naman po ng Pangulo ay laging ayon sa batas, hindi gawa-gawang ebidensiya,” she said.
