‘Falsified and unauthorized’: Lawyer denies notarizing, signing sworn statement of Zaldy Co’s former aide
A lawyer denied involvement in the preparation of the sworn statement of Orly Regala Guteza, Rep. Zaldy Co's former security consultant who appeared at the Senate hearing on the flood control scandal on Thursday, Sept. 25.
In a statement sent to the media, Atty. Petchie Rose Espera said she didn't notarize and sign Guteza's affidavit as she requested that the document shared on social media be taken down.
"The signature and notarial details attributed to me are falsified and unauthorized," she noted.
"The use of my name and notarial commission in connection with said document is spurious, fraudulent, and injurious to my reputation as a member of the Bar and as a commissioned Notary Public," she added.
Guteza's sworn statement
At the Sept. 25 Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, Guteza claimed that he delivered suitcases containing money to Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez as kickbacks from flood control projects.
According to him, he was hired as Co's security consultant on Dec. 5, 2024 and used to report to the congressman's residence in Bonifacio Global City every morning. He alleged that when he was called to duty, he was instructed to get "basura," a codename for suitcases filled with dirty money.
Each suitcase contained P48 million and sticky notes indicating how much money was inside, per Guteza, who said he only moved the "basura."
Co's former staff accused 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.
Guteza claimed that he delivered basura himself about three times to Co and Romualdez's respective residences.
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 Guteza's claims in a statement, expressing that he was "deeply surprised" by them.
"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 added 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 noted 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.
Hearings at the House of Representatives and the Senate revealed billions of pesos lost to corruption, which prompted the formation of the Independent Commission on Infrastructure that will specifically investigate irregularities in flood control projects in the last 10 years.
