WHAT COULD HAVE been the first direct testimony linking former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez into the anomalous flood control scandal turned out otherwise as peers of retired Marine soldier Orly Guteza warded off what they described as more of a “tell tale.”
Guteza previously admitted before the Senate blue ribbon committee having delivered 35 cash-filled suitcases to Romualdez.
Mark B. Dumagan of New Lower Bicutan, Taguig and Allan P. Colesio of Nabas, Aklan said their names were mentioned before the blue ribbon committee appearance of Guteza, whom they claimed worked with the Ako Bicol partylist group, but not directly with Cong. Zaldy Co.
Both insisted that it was the congressman’s relatives with whom Guteza worked with.
In no instance, they said, did they remember, hear or made aware of bringing suitcases of money to two locations: 56th floor of Horizon Residences, Taguig, the home of Co and to 42 McKinley St., Taguig, supposedly the home of former Speaker Romualdez.
According to Guteza’s peers (Dumagan and Colesio), they were frantic while watching the retired Marine soldier at the Blue Ribbon Committee hearing on YouTube where he named them as his companions in delivering garbage (huge amounts of money) in big suitcases to these addresses.
To dispel doubt on their counter claim, both expressed willingness to execute separate affidavits (which they did) and be sworn by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee inquiry on the flood control fund mess — if only to clear their names.
In their statement posted on X, they said they freely voluntarily executed their statements with no coercion, payment given them on September 26, 2025, or the following day that Guteza was presented and supposedly “coached” by Senator Rodante Marcoleta.
While Dumagan and Colesio claimed to be soldiers, it was not certain whether or not they’re still in active service.