Lacson: Guteza a ‘coached witness,’ recantation not a surprise

August 20, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Sen. Panfilo Lacson said he was not surprised when Orly Guteza, whom he described as the “original maleta boy,” took back his statement alleging that he delivered cash to former Speaker Martin Romualdez and ex-lawmaker Elizaldy Co.

Lacson, former chair of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said Guteza was a “coached witness” of Sen. Rodante Marcoleta when Guteza appeared at the panel’s flood control corruption hearing.

“Since on record naman sa hearing ng Blue Ribbon Committee na coached witness ni Sen. Marcoleta si Guteza at naka-live pa nga, hindi na surprising na babaliktad siya balang araw,” Lacson said in a statement.

He said security camera footage from the Senate showed Guteza spending time in Marcoleta’s office before he appeared before the hearing.

He also noted that there have been other recantations by some of the so-called “maleta boys,” or Co’s former security aides who earlier alleged that they delivered cash-filled suitcases representing kickbacks to several officials and personalities.

“Naging ‘one dime a dozen’ na ang baliktaran ng testimonya ng mga ‘maleta boys’ kaya hindi na rin surprising na ang original ‘Maleta Boy’ a.k.a. Basura na si Orly Guteza ay bumaliktad na rin,” he said.

The actions of the “maleta boys” indicated an attempt to have personal gain from the flood control controversy, he added.

Guteza has issued a new affidavit in which he alleged that he was only made to implicate Romualdez by Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor. He said he was promised cash and educational scholarships for his children.