Tainted Testimony

by Rowel Montes

Tacloban City- Earlier Court confirms forgery in affidavit of key Senate witness, exposing political ‘demolition job’
The controversial testimony of Orly Regala Guteza, a “surprise witness” presented by Senator Rodante Marcoleta in a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing, has been rendered completely worthless after a local court officially confirmed that his affidavit was based on fraud. This development shifts the focus from the veracity of his corruption claims against high-ranking officials to the alleged existence of a sophisticated “Witness-for-Hire Syndrome” used for political warfare.
The Legal Facts: From Whistleblower to Liar
Guteza, a former security aide, was paraded before the Senate, where he claimed to have delivered suitcases of cash to the residences of House Speaker Martin Romualdez and Ako Bicol Party-list Representative Elizaldy Co. These explosive claims were immediately used by some quarters to fuel a political firestorm.
However, the foundation of his testimony quickly crumbled due to a glaring legal malpractice:
• Confirmed Forgery: The Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 18 issued a ruling confirming that the signature of notary public Atty. Petchie Rose Espera on Guteza’s affidavit was falsified. The notary public herself denied ever signing the document or meeting the witness.
• Criminal Liability: This procedural failure instantly transformed Guteza from a potential whistleblower into a criminal suspect. Legal experts confirm that Guteza is now liable for serious charges, including Perjury (lying under oath before the Senate) and Falsification of Public Documents (using a forged affidavit).
• Tainted Evidence: The court’s finding effectively strips his entire testimony—both the written affidavit and his oral statement under oath—of all legal and factual weight.
The Political Analysis: The Return of the ‘Playbook’
The collapse of the Guteza testimony immediately fueled accusations that the incident was a deliberate “demolition job” and a classic example of the “DDS playbook” strategy employed during the previous administration.
The Accusation is Two-Fold:

1. Scripted Testimony: The pattern is familiar: introduce a surprise witness with a sensational story targeting a political opponent, bypassing standard investigative procedures. When the story is challenged, it is revealed to be built on lies, fabricated documents, or coercion. The initial goal—the smear—is already achieved, regardless of the subsequent legal failure.
2. Targeted Smear: Critics argue that the strategic timing and the high-profile target (Speaker Romualdez) indicate an attempt to destabilize the current Marcos Administration by undermining a key ally. The use of a witness whose credibility was so easily discredited points to an act of political desperation by groups unable to win via legitimate means.
   The Marcoleta Question: Senator Marcoleta, who sponsored and introduced Guteza as his star witness, now faces a significant credibility deficit. While he may claim ignorance regarding the forged notarization, legal experts suggest he could face scrutiny if it is proven that he or his staff was aware of or responsible for presenting a fraudulent document to the Senate. This act insults the public’s intelligence and poisons the stream of justice.
   Institutional Damage and the Call for Accountability
   The Guteza fiasco has caused deep damage to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, an institution meant to uncover corruption, not be used as a stage for a political circus.
   • Erosion of Trust: Such incidents devalue genuine whistleblowing efforts, making the public skeptical of any future witness who steps forward to expose corruption.
   • Demand for Action: The focus is now on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to act swiftly on the RTC’s findings. There is a strong public outcry to hold not only Orly Guteza accountable for perjury and falsification but also to investigate the masterminds—the “directors”—who conceptualized and financed the script.
   The message is clear: The era of manufacturing witnesses and relying on sensational, scripted lies for political gain must end. Justice demands that this “Witness-for-Hire Industry” be dismantled through decisive legal action.#E