‘Basura’ or money-filled suitcases delivered to Romualdez, says Zaldy Co’s ex-staff
A former security consultant of Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Zaldy Co claimed that he delivered suitcases containing money to the congressman—as well as to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez—as kickbacks from flood control projects.
During the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Sept. 25, Orly Guteza, reading from his affidavit, said he was a former Philippine marine and was hired as Co's security consultant on Dec. 5, 2024.
He said he used to report to Co's residence in Bonifacio Global City every morning, and when he was called to duty, he was detailed to get "basura," a codename for suitcases filled with dirty money.
Each suitcase contained P48 million and sticky notes indicating how much money is inside, according to Guteza, who said he only moved the "basura."
"Ang nangyayari kapag duty kami sa basura, kalimitang dinadala sa bahay ni Congressman Zaldy Co," he said, adding that the lawmaker's men will count the money.
Guteza added that he knew the suitcases carried money after claiming to have seen them being opened.
He also accused ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap of bringing 46 suitcases to Co's home, which were then taken to his property in Taguig. Yap has since denied any involvement and said he has never accepted or authorized delivery of money in connection with flood control projects.
"Halimbawa, nag-akyat kami ng 46 maleta, ibababa lang namin ay 35 para ideliver sa mga bahay ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez," he said, adding that 11 of the basura remained with Co.
Guteza claimed that he delivered basura himself about three times to Co and Romualdez's respective residences.
"Mas maraming pagkakataon na nagdedeliver kami ng basura sa bahay ni Speaker Romualdez at sa bahay ni Congressman Zaldy Co dahil iba-iba kaming naka detail na close-in, backup, at advanced party na nagkakaroon ng rotation," he said.
In a group chat, he saw that deliveries to Romualdez's residence would happen three times a week since December 2024. Guteza resigned from Co's staff in August 2025.
He asked to be enrolled in the government's witness protection program, claiming that there would be threats to his life after his revelation.
Romualdez denies the accusations
Romualdez denied the accusations in a statement, expressing that he was "deeply surprised" by the claims.
"The so-called testimony of Sen. Marcoleta's witness is an outright and complete fabrication—nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. Pilit na pilit," he said.
He said that the "most telling flaw" in the claim was the deliveries made to his house in Forbes Park in December 2024. "Imposible yan."
"That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers," Romualdez claimed, adding that the testimony is "clearly political and the product of coaching."
"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," the lawmaker added.
Romualdez said that he resigned as speaker of the House "to demonstrate my full support for the inquiry into flood control issues."
He said he has remained silent but will "fight back" now that his name has been "maliciously dragged into this controversy."
"Kahit kailan, hindi ako nagnakaw ng pondo ng bayan. Hindi ko kailangan ang perang galing sa masama. To the Filipino people, I give you this solemn assurance: I will never betray your trust," he assured.
Romualdez resigned as House speaker on Sept. 17 amid the flood control project corruption issue. Deputy Speaker Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III took over the position.
Romualdez was first dragged into the flood control project scandal when Curlee Discaya, one of the top government contractors, mentioned his name during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on Sept. 8.
Discaya enumerated the names of congressmen who allegedly get a kickback of 10% to 25% in projects, including Quezon City 4th District Rep. Marvin Rillo. He noted that Rillo always mentions Romualdez as a close friend.
Sinasabi pa ni Cong. Rillo na lahat ng kanyang request para sa pondo ay galing pa mismo sa unprogrammed funds at insertions na inaaprubahan ni Speaker," Discaya said.
"Iisa lang po ang pattern, insertion or unprogrammed, 25% po lagi. Lagi kong naririnig na salita, para kay Speaker [Romualdez] at kay [House Appropriations chairman] Zaldy Co," he also said.
Romualdez dismissed the claims, calling them "false, malicious, and nothing more than name-dropping."
Later on, Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco accused Romualdez and Co of inserting billions of pesos in the national budget to fund ghost infrastructure projects.
Last Sept. 15, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., said Romualdez, his cousin, "will not be spared" from the investigation to be conducted by the Independent Commission on Infrastructure.