Sen. Rodante Marcoleta said he believes threats to Orly Guteza’s life, freedom and family may have prompted the latter to withdraw his earlier allegations involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Marcoleta said his respect for Guteza has not diminished despite the change in his account.
Guteza recently withdrew his previous allegation that he delivered a suitcase filled with money to Romualdez.
In his new account, Guteza said he made the allegations because Marcoleta and former Rep. Mike Defensor allegedly promised him money and scholarships for his child.
Marcoleta rejected the claim, saying it was not credible that he would conspire with Guteza because he did not fully know him.
He also questioned the allegation involving Defensor, saying it was unlikely that he and Defensor could have produced a detailed account about delivering a suitcase containing money at a restaurant within only an hour.
Marcoleta said he instead finds it more believable that threats against Guteza or his family may have influenced his decision to reverse his earlier statements.
The senator said the development should not weaken their determination to establish who was truly behind the controversy and the alleged misuse of public funds.
Guteza’s original allegations and subsequent recantation have become part of the continuing controversy surrounding the allegations involving Romualdez and alleged anomalies in flood control projects.
Marcoleta’s statements reflect his view of why Guteza changed his account. The circumstances surrounding the recantation remain part of the issues being examined in the ongoing investigation.
