Former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has been implicated in a Senate hearing investigating alleged corruption in flood control projects.
Orly Regala Guteza, a former soldier and security consultant to Congressman Elizaldy Co, testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee.
Guteza revealed that suitcases, referred to internally as “trash,” were regularly delivered to the homes of Co and Romualdez.
Each suitcase allegedly contained approximately P48 million in cash.
He confirmed the contents were real money after witnessing one opened by Co’s executive assistant.
Guteza stated that during “duty detailed trash” operations, they would deliver the suitcases to Co’s residence in Valle Verde, Pasig City, where assistants John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay received them.
He also implicated ACT-CIS Partylist Representative Eric Yap, who once delivered 46 suitcases to Co’s unit at Horizon Residences.
Out of the 46 suitcases, 11 were left at Co’s unit, while the remaining 35 were sent to Romualdez’s residence on McKinley Street, Taguig City.
According to Guteza, the funds originated from flood control projects that worsened flooding and endangered lives, instead of being allocated for education and healthcare.
He expressed emotional difficulty in coming forward, citing concerns for his family and colleagues involved in the operations.
Due to threats to his safety, Guteza also declared his intent to enter the Witness Protection Program.