Former House Speaker Martin Romualdez Reacts To Claim of Alleged Zaldy Co’s Former Staff Orly Guteza
MARTIN ROMUALDEZ – The former House Speaker denied the claims of Orly Regala Guteza whom he called as “Sen. Marcoleta’s witness” that linked him to the flood control corruption in the Philippines.
Amid the flood control mess in the Philippines, several government officials are hurled with allegations of flood control corruption. Among them are presidential cousin and Leyte Congressman Romualdez and Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co.
Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez resigned from being the House Speaker after controversial contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya accused him during a Senate flood probe of allegedy receiving flood control kickbacks. During an investigation in the House of Representatives, Mr. Discaya admitted that he never had a direct transaction with the speaker.
Then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez denied the flood control allegations of the Discayas against him. According to him, he is “self-made” and will not allow himself to be corrupted by money that does not belong to him. However, during the latest Senate flood probe, another witness has tagged him in the issue.
During the most recent Senate flood hearing, a surprise witness appeared in the person of Master Sergeant Orly Regala Guteza who claimed that he is allegedly a former staff of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Zaldy Co. Based on a report on PhilStar, the witness presented by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta claimed that he supposedly delivered suitcases filled with “basura” or flood control project kickbacks to Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Following the claims of Orly Regala Guteza, presidential cousin and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez junked the flood control corruption accusations thrown against him during the latest Senate heating. In a statement, the Leyte Congressman called Guteza as “Sen. Marcoleta’s witness” and claimed that his claim is supposedly “an outright and complete fabrication”.
“Nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. Pilit na pilit,” Romualdez said.
According to the former House Speaker, he was deeply surprised to hear the accusation against him. The Congressman cited an alleged flaw in the testimony of Guteza. According to him, it is allegedy impossible that the deliveries were made starting December 2024 as the property was under renovation and was not occupied.
“The most telling flaw is the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to McKinley beginning December 2024. Imposible iyan. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything,” the former House Speaker said.
Leyte Cong. Martin Romualdez linked the allegations against him as mere politics. The former House Speaker reiterated that he has allegedly never receive any kickback from any infrastructure projet of the government.
“I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name,” he said.
During the latest Senate hearing, former Senate Pres. Chiz Escudero was also accused of allegedly receiving kickbacks from flood control projects by a former undersecretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways. In his response to the allegation, Sen. Chiz Escudero denied the accusation and asked about Romualdez and Co.