Former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has strongly denied allegations linking her to retired Marine Orly Guteza’s recantation of his earlier testimony involving alleged cash deliveries to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Guteza recently executed a new affidavit retracting his previous claim that he participated in the delivery of suitcases of cash to Romualdez’s residence. He alleged that he was pressured by Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former Anakalusugan party-list Rep. Mike Defensor to make the claims and was offered financial assistance and an educational scholarship for his children.
In the same affidavit, Guteza claimed that someone from Marcoleta’s office later offered to provide him with Guanzon’s contact number so he could seek assistance in correcting his affidavit. Guteza said he ultimately did not contact Guanzon.
Guanzon has since rejected the allegation, saying she had no connection to Guteza or his affidavit.
“Sinungaling ka Guteza. Why will I even have anything to do with a low-life like you? I am not a consultant of Sen. Marcoleta and I don't practice law anymore, you lying effing idiot,” Guanzon said in a Facebook post.
In a separate video statement, Guanzon questioned why she would assist Guteza, citing her previous government positions and legal background.
“With my status... As a retired Comelec Commissioner and a former COA Commissioner, law practice for 25 years and you see my law practice was really focused on women's rights. Isipin mo na lang, ay maniniwala ba sa igutesa na mag-abogado ako para sa'yo?”
Guanzon also denied having any reason to assist Guteza in connection with the allegations against Romualdez, whom she described as her “mortal enemy.”
She further called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Guteza’s recantation, arguing that his earlier affidavit had been used in the plunder complaint involving Romualdez.
“The Ombudsman should file a perjury complaint against you because the Ombudsman used Guteza's affidavit in the plunder case of Martin Romualdez,” Guanzon said.
She also urged authorities to consider Guteza as a possible co-conspirator if evidence establishes that his original testimony was deliberately false.
Guteza’s latest affidavit directly contradicts his testimony before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September 2025, where he claimed to have participated in three cash deliveries allegedly linked to then-Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co and Romualdez. In his new affidavit, he said the allegations were not true and that fear, financial promises, and pressure influenced him to make the claims.
The controversy also follows a court ruling that found the notarization of Guteza’s original affidavit to be falsified and ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue possible falsification charges.
The competing accounts have yet to be fully resolved, with Guteza now standing by his recantation while Guanzon denies any involvement in the preparation or revision of his affidavits.
