Ombudsman says 28 witnesses ready after Guteza recantation

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 21, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman said 28 active uniformed personnel are ready to testify in its investigation into former House Speaker Martin Romualdez despite retired Marine Orly Guteza’s recantation of his earlier testimony.

In a statement Thursday, August 20, the Ombudsman called Guteza’s recantation a “classic pressure tactic” in high-profile cases and stressed that its investigation does not depend on a single witness.

“Hindi bago ang recantation sa mga high-profile case. Classic pressure tactic ito. Hindi umiikot ang buong imbestigasyon sa iisa o kahit sa iilang witnesses,” the Ombudsman said.

(Recantation is nothing new in high-profile cases. It is a classic pressure tactic. The entire investigation does not revolve around one or even a few witnesses.)

The Ombudsman said the 28 other witnesses have direct and material information related to the investigation and are undergoing the legal process before giving their testimony.

“Ito’y mga taong nakauniporme at aktibo pa rin sa serbisyo,” the office said.

(These are people in uniform who are still in active service.)

The Ombudsman added that cooperating with its proceedings is a legal obligation and warned that attempts to obstruct or interfere with the investigation could lead to legal consequences.

Guteza earlier claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash to Romualdez. 

He later withdrew those allegations and said Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor had pressured him to make the accusations.

His previous testimony was among the evidence being reviewed by the Ombudsman in its investigation into Romualdez’s alleged links to anomalous flood control transactions.

The Ombudsman has not announced when the 28 other witnesses will testify.