The Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 18 has confirmed that the notarization attached to the sworn affidavit of Orly Guteza, a witness presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta during the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee’s probe on alleged flood control fund irregularities, was falsified.
In an 11-page order dated October 24, 2025, Executive Judge Carolina C. Icasiano-Sison cited the findings of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) which revealed that the signature of Atty. Petty Rose Espera on Guteza’s sworn statement dated September 24, 2025, was forged.
The court said Espera’s signature “did not match her genuine signature,” clearing her of any liability, whether administrative or criminal, connected to the falsified document.
“Atty. Espera is hereby cleared from any liability, administrative or otherwise, arising from the purported notarization of the Sinumpaang Salaysay dated 24 September 2025,” the order read.
Following this, the RTC referred the falsification incident to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for further investigation and possible filing of criminal charges against Orly Guteza and others who used or presented the falsified affidavit.
“The falsification incident is hereby referred to the Department of Justice for further investigation and filing of appropriate charges against Mr. Guteza and all other persons who used and/or presented the Sinumpaang Salaysay,” the court added.
During the previous hearing of the Blue Ribbon Committee, Guteza introduced himself as a retired Marine and former security consultant of former Congressman Zaldy Co, claiming that he personally handed over bags containing millions of pesos in alleged kickbacks from flood control projects to Co and former House Speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez.
In an interview with DZRH last September 29, Marcoleta defended the credibility of Guteza, stating that detractors were trying to discredit his testimony by accusing him of fabricating notarial documents.
"Kaya nga pinipilit na butasan eh…Parang siya pa ang nameke ng notaryo, saan ka nga nakakita ng ganitong klase ng pagpaparatang na imposible naman,” Marcoleta stressed.
Marcoleta explained that Guteza personally visited the notary’s office, which is officially listed in Ermita but appears to have a branch along Villaruel Street in Pasay City.
Guteza earlier refused to be placed under the Witness Protection Program (WPP), saying he could secure his own safety.
