LACSON: GUTEZA NEVER UNDER MARINES’ CUSTODY  

How much more fakery can we take?

Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson raised this question Thursday as he called out the false claim that former T/Sgt. Orly Guteza is under the custody of the Philippine Marines.

Lacson said a verification with Philippine Marines commandant Maj. Gen. Vincent Blanco III showed Guteza was never under the Marines’ custody, contrary to the claim of ex-Rep. Michael Defensor.

“As per verification made with the Marine Commandant, MGen Vince Blanco (PMA Cl ’91), through fellow cavaliers, Guteza is not and has never been under their custody. How much more fakery can we take?” Lacson said in a post on X.

On Wednesday, Defensor told a television interview that Guteza is under Marines custody. Guteza was presented to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee during its Sept. 25 hearing as a “witness” by Sen. Rodante Marcoleta. Marcoleta said Defensor referred Guteza to him.

Earlier this week, Lacson said the Executive Judge of the Manila Regional Trial Court found that the signature in Guteza’s notarized affidavit inconsistent with that of lawyer Petchie Espera. The Executive Judge recommended that Guteza and those responsible for presenting his affidavit undergo preliminary investigation for falsification.

Also, Lacson said a review of Senate CCTV footage showed Guteza arrived at the Senate at 8:27 a.m. of Sept. 25 and stayed at the office of Marcoleta for some 30 minutes before going down to the gallery of the session hall where the hearing was being held.

Guteza had claimed that he delivered suitcases of cash to the homes of ex-Rep. Elizaldy Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez. Romualdez denied the allegation.

Lacson noted that while Guteza’s statement before the Blue Ribbon Committee remains valid, the development may affect his credibility.