Retired Marine Sgt. Orly Regala Guteza has executed a new sworn affidavit retracting key portions of his earlier testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee and alleging that Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor orchestrated his appearance and the preparation of his testimony.

In the five-page Sinumpaang Salaysay sworn before a notary public in Pasig City on Aug. 13, 2026, Guteza gave a detailed account of what he said happened before, during and after his appearance at the Senate investigation into the alleged flood control anomalies.

Guteza said he initially made his statement to help investigators understand how he allegedly became involved in the controversy surrounding the delivery of suitcases supposedly containing cash. But in his new affidavit, he claimed that his appearance at the Senate hearing on Sept. 25, 2025, was not entirely voluntary, alleging that he was contacted and brought to a meeting involving Defensor before the hearing.

Meeting with Defensor

According to Guteza, on Sept. 24, 2025, he was contacted by a driver identified as “Django,” who told him that former congressman Defensor wanted to meet him. Guteza said he was instructed to proceed to a Japanese restaurant in Pasay and later brought to a VIP room where Defensor and other individuals were present.

He said Defensor asked him questions concerning the allegations that he would later raise before the Senate. Guteza also described being introduced to individuals connected to the group and said their cellphone numbers were exchanged.

He claimed that during the meeting, he was told about allegations involving cash-filled suitcases and individuals connected to the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Marcoleta allegedly enters the picture

Guteza’s account then centers on Marcoleta, who, according to the affidavit, arrived at the restaurant later that afternoon. Guteza said Defensor went outside to meet Marcoleta and subsequently brought him into the room.

He recalled Marcoleta confronting him and asking why he had allegedly been spreading information about the matter. Guteza quoted Marcoleta as telling him:“MGA WALANG HIYA SILA, BINABOY NILA ANG PILIPINAS.”

He further alleged that Marcoleta urged him to continue with his testimony and told him to tell the Senate what he knew. Guteza said Defensor likewise instructed him to read an affidavit being prepared on a laptop.

The affidavit was allegedly prepared for him

One of the most significant portions of Guteza’s new statement concerns the preparation of his affidavit. He said a man identified as Mark was writing the document on a laptop while he was being instructed on what to say.

Guteza alleged that Marcoleta reviewed the affidavit and made comments on its contents. He claimed that after the document was prepared, it was printed at the restaurant and presented to him for signature.

Guteza said he was later given a copy and instructed to have it notarized before proceeding to the Senate the following morning.

Alleged pressure and inducement

Guteza also alleged that he was promised assistance, including an educational scholarship for his children, by Defensor. He said he was told that he could be helped financially if he cooperated. The retired Marine claimed that he eventually agreed because he was concerned about his children’s education.

He also alleged that he was repeatedly pressured to sign and maintain the statements being prepared for him.

Senate appearance

On Sept. 25, Guteza said he arrived at the Senate early in the morning and was brought to Marcoleta’s office. He described being given instructions regarding where to sit and whom to approach before the hearing. He eventually entered the session hall and waited for the proceedings to begin.

According to his affidavit, he was initially treated as an observer before being designated as a resource person. Guteza said Marcoleta later reminded him about the affidavit and allegedly instructed him to stick to what had been prepared.

After the Senate session, Guteza said he attempted to speak with Marcoleta but was unable to do so.

Why the new affidavit matters

Guteza’s latest sworn statement substantially changes the context of his previous appearance. Rather than presenting his earlier testimony as an independent account based solely on his personal recollection, he now claims that Defensor and Marcoleta were directly involved in bringing him to the Senate, preparing his affidavit and influencing what he would say during the investigation.

His allegations, however, remain claims contained in his new affidavit and would have to be independently corroborated. The new statement also raises questions about the circumstances surrounding the earlier affidavit, including who drafted it, who supplied the information contained in it, who reviewed it and whether Guteza voluntarily adopted all of its contents.

But a photograph remains part of the controversy

Complicating the new account is a photograph that has surfaced showing a man identified as Guteza pushing a luggage cart loaded with several suitcases. The photograph has been publicly presented as evidence that Guteza was involved in transporting the suitcases that became central to the earlier cash-delivery allegations.

The photograph clearly shows a man identified as Guteza handling multiple suitcases, but the image alone does not establish what the suitcases contained. Its significance, however, will have to be examined alongside Guteza’s old and new affidavits, CCTV footage, communications, security records and the testimony of the other individuals identified in his latest sworn statement.

Ultimately, the central question raised by Guteza’s new affidavit is no longer simply what was inside the suitcases.It is also who prepared the story that reached the Senate, who instructed Guteza to tell it, and why he is now saying that the account was not entirely his own.