Representative Romualdez files counter-affidavit amid Guteza recantation

The camp of former House Speaker and Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez is set to submit a supplemental counter-affidavit to the Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday, incorporating the reported recantation of flood control projects witness Orly Guteza.

Romualdez’s lawyer, Ade Fajardo, said the filing will also include sworn statements from 25 former drivers and security aides of Rep. Zaldy Co, who allegedly contradicted the accounts of the 18 individuals presented by lawyer Levi Baligod as witnesses in the flood control controversy.

"Representative Martin Romualdez will be filing today a supplemental counter-affidavit before the Ombudsman, attaching to it sworn statements of 25 other former drivers and security aides of Representative Zaldy Co," Fajardo said in a statement read during a press conference in Quezon City.

"Isasama na rin natin dyan ang napabalitang pagbaliktad ni Mr. Orly Guteza," he added.

Guteza drew national attention after his surprise appearance before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee on Sept. 25, 2025, where he claimed that he and other individuals delivered suitcases containing cash to the residences of Romualdez and then-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co.

Romualdez has consistently rejected the allegations, calling them fabricated, malicious, and politically motivated.

Fajardo said the 25 former aides have denied witnessing any delivery of money to politicians or government officials, including Romualdez. He also alleged that some of the individuals were recruited to join a group of witnesses in exchange for money and were presented with prepared affidavits.

"Ayon sa kanila, walang naganap na anumang delivery ng pera sa sinumang pulitiko o opisyal ng gobyerno, kabilang na si Rep. Romualdez. HInikayat lamang silang sumali sa isang grupo ng mga testigo kapalit ng pera, at may mga affidavit nang inihanda para sa kanila," Fajardo said.

The lawyer also pointed to Guteza’s reported reversal, saying the latter described how allegations against Romualdez were allegedly forced on him and how he was supposedly positioned as the "missing link" connecting the former Speaker to the case.

"Si Orly Guteza naman, naglabas rin ng pahayag at idinetalye kung paanong ang mga akusasyon ay ipinilit sa kanya para tanggapin at pirmahan, bilang 'missing link' na siya raw mag-uugnay daw kay Rep. Romualdez sa kaso," he said.

Fajardo, a former national president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, argued that the conflicting testimonies weaken the allegations against his client.

"Magkakasalungat ang mga kuwento. May mga bumabawi. May mga bagong testigong nagsasabing wala silang personal na kaalaman sa mga alegasyon," he said.

According to Fajardo, the statements share a common thread: individuals allegedly pressured or encouraged witnesses to implicate Romualdez in supposed payoffs involving anomalous flood control projects.

"Sa dami ng magkakasalungat na kwento, napaka klaro na walang ebidensya laban kay Rep. Romualdez. Matagal na namin itong sinasabi—walang kinalaman si Rep. Romualdez sa mga paratang sa kanya," Fajardo said.