FOR THE LONGEST time, no amount of exposé was able to make a dent on somebody wielding so much power embarking on his political clout and relationship by consanguinity to the sitting President.
But not for long.
During the blue ribbon committee hearing at the Senate, a lowly soldier stood up — spewing every little detail of what has become a turning point in the political career of a man by the name of Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
Romualdez is the first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
ORLY GUTEZA, WHO?
A guilt-ridden former Marine soldier by the name of Orly Regala Guteza confessed direct involvement in delivering cash-loaded luggages to one of the 12 posh mansions supposedly owned by former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
But who’s Guteza in the first place?
For one, Guteza is a soldier who has spent most of his life defending the country. He’s an organic soldier under an elite military service branch referred to as the Philippine Marines. He retired as master sergeant at 42.
He previously served as a VIP security aide for former Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, former vice president Jejomar Binay, and former Presidential Communications Office secretary Martin Andanar.
Aside from being a soldier, Guteza is a family man with four kids and an extended family from where he has grandchildren.
In December 2024, he was hired by the Ako Bicol partylist group as security consultant with a job description which seemed more like a bodyguard assigned to “cover” Rep. Zaldy Co.
ALL EYES ON BASURA
As Co’s security aide, he was assigned to carry and deliver luggages to certain locations. The luggages, he said, contained “basura” — a term they used in reference to piles of money amounting to more or less P48 million each.
When he started working for the partylist group, Guteza claimed that his day starts by reporting at the 56th floor of Horizon Residences in Bonifacio Global City, where Co resides.
There are instances though that Guteza would be assigned to “garbage” duty, which means they have to bring loads of “garbage” to 28th Ladybug corner Dragonfly Street in Valle Verde 6, Pasig City where Co’s executive assistants Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay are waiting to receive the luggages for counting.
DUMPING GARBAGE
After the money gets counted, Guteza said they will load the suitcases into the vehicles and then deliver them to Horizon Residences in Taguig, and take the “garbage” to the basement for “unloading.”
Moments later, the team would take the suitcases to Co’s unit on the 56th floor. He however clarified that not all suitcases are being unloaded as more suitcases will have to be delivered to a mansion located along McKinley Street.
“For example, we brought up 46 suitcases, but we would bring down only 35 suitcases to deliver to the house of House Speaker Martin Romualdez at 42 McKinley Street, Taguig. The 11 suitcases were left upstairs on the 56th floor of Horizon Residences.
On three occasions, Guteza admitted personally delivering the “garbage” Co’s unit at Horizon Residences and to Romualdez’s house.
“There were more instances when we delivered the ‘garbage’ to the house of Speaker Romualdez and to the house of Congressman Zaldy Co, because we were different personnel assigned as close-in security, backup, and advance party, who were on rotation,” he added.
THRICE A WEEK
Under oath, Guteza testified that deliveries were done thrice a week. He however noted that he is not privy as to how many suitcases are being delivered by other groups.
He also admitted delivering money to Romualdez at the Aguado Residence near Malacañang.
In a statement, Romualdez described Guteza’s testimony as an outright and complete fabrication — nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist.”
“This is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not allow these perjurious statements to pass unchallenged,” Romualdez said. “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.”
SYNCHRONIZED TUNE
Guteza’s testimony somehow supported the claims made by dismissed Bulacan district engineer Henry Alcantara and assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez.
Alcantara said Co received kickbacks from projects in Bulacan.
Hernandez for his part shared that around P1 billion in cash, stuffed in 20 luggages each containing around P50 million, was delivered on board six to seven vans and received by Co’s staff at the congressman’s residence in Taguig City.
Alcantara likewise also confirmed meeting Paul and Mark in Co’s residence in Pasig City.
Co, who has been in the US supposedly for medical treatment, is accused of corrupting the national budget. His travel authority has recently been revoked by Romualdez’s successor to the House throne.