Several high-ranking lawmakers were implicated in the alleged multi-billion-peso flood control scandal during Thursday’s Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, as multiple witnesses came forward with testimonies.

Senator Rodante Marcoleta, who presented Orly Regala Guteza, a former security consultant of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and former member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as a resource person, said the former Marine had “firsthand knowledge” of the alleged anomalies. He added that former lawmaker Mike Defensor vouched for Guteza’s credibility.

Guteza, a former security consultant of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and former member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, implicated former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, alleging that the powerful lawmaker also received millions in kickbacks from flood control projects.

“Noong December 5 2004, na-hire ako bilang security consultant sa Ako Bicol Party-list kay Cong. Zaldy Co," Guteza said.

In his sworn affidavit, Guteza testified that he once served as a courier of so-called “basura”—suitcases filled with cash.

According to him, he delivered a total of 46 suitcases, each containing roughly ₱48 million. Of these, 35 were allegedly dropped off at Romualdez’s residence in McKinley, Taguig City, while 11 were brought to Co’s condominium unit in Horizon Residences, also in Taguig.

“Taga-buhat lang ako ng maleta ng basura. Ang ibig sabihin ng basura ay maleta na may lamang pera. Ang bawat maleta ay may laman na humigit-kumulang P48 million,” Guteza said.

He further testified that the deliveries were often received by Mark and John Paul Estrada, executive assistants of Co, who allegedly counted the money once the cash-laden bags were brought inside Co’s residence in Valle Verde 6 in Pasig.

“Ang mga nangyayari kapag duty kami sa basura kalimitang dinadala sa bahay ni Cong. Zaldy Co sa Valley berde 6 at tinatanggap naman ni Mark at ni [John] Paul Estrada,” he said.

Another witness, former DPWH Bulacan 1st District assistant engineer Brice Hernandez, confirmed that documents linking Co to irregularities in flood control projects were found in his computer files.

Guteza also claimed that Benguet Rep. Eric Yap once delivered 46 suitcases of cash to Co’s residence. Yap, however, said he was “disheartened” by the allegations, dismissing them as baseless.

Guteza expressed his intention to seek protection under the government’s Witness Protection Program (WPP).

The resource speaker also revealed that Co has more or less 90 security personnel.