Update on Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s Suprise Witness Orly Guteza
MARCOLETA’S SURPRISE WITNESS – Former marine Orly Guteza is not under the protective custody of the Philippine Marine Corps as per the Philippine Navy.
The Senate continued with its flood control investigation despite the creation of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure. More popularly called as ICI, the thre-member body was formed upon the order of President Bongbong Marcos to probe the supposed multi-billion flood control scam in the country.
After the ICI was created, House Speaker Bojie Dy claimed that the flood control investigation is best left in the hands of the ICI. The upper chamber continued with its flood control probe which is led by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
However, following the resignation of Senator Ping Lacson from being the chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, the panel’s investigation was on hold for a few weeks now. Meanwhile, Senate Pres. Tito Sotto confirmed that Lacson will return as the Blue Ribbon chairman.
According to Sen. Ping Lacson, if he will be reelected as the Blue Ribbon chairman, he wants the flood control probe to resume on November 14 and invite a “very important witness”. The Senate President Pro Tempore wants to have Orly Guteza, a former marine, back in the Senate session hall over his previous claims. He was Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s surprise witness during a previous Senate flood probe.
Guteza, a former aide of resigned Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co, claimed that he was allegedly part of the team that delivered suitcases filled with cash to Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s residences.
Both Co and Romualdez denied the allegations of Guteza. According to the former House Speaker, the claims of Guteza whom he called as Sen. Marcoleta’s witness allegedly did a supposed “desperate attempt” to link him to the issue.
Recently, Sen. Ping Lacson claimed that Orly Guteza could not be found and he will seek Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s help to find his surprise witness. Amid the search for Sen. Marcoleta’s surprise witness, the Philippine Navy issued a statement.
Based on a report on GMA News, Philippine Navy spokesperson Captain Marissa Martinez clarified that Orly Guteza is not under the protective custody of the marines. She stressed that Sen. Marcoleta’s surprise witness has been retired from the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) since June 30, 2020.
“As a retired serviceman, he no longer falls under the administrative authority of the Philippine Navy. Any engagements or interactions he may have at present are undertaken in his personal capacity,” the PH Navy Spokesperson said.
Furthermore, based on the report, the Philippine Navy also stressed that the marine has no involvement in the personal affairs of Guteza. As of this writing, there are still no reports as to the whereabouts of the former marine.
Amid the flood control investigation in the country now, the ICI held an inter-agency meeting as they are determined to get back the ill-gotten wealth from the flood control projects.