The Manila Regional Trial Court can help solve the mystery behind the controversial affidavit of Orly Guteza, the “surprise witness” at the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee hearing last Thursday, Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson said Friday evening.
Lacson, who chairs the Blue Ribbon Committee, noted that part of the function of the RTC’s executive judge – Carolina Icasiano Sison – is to look into violations involving notarized documents within its jurisdiction.
“The Manila RTC can help unravel the mystery behind the now (in)famous Guteza affidavit since part of the executive judge’s function is to investigate violations relating to notarized documents within its jurisdiction. Was he just made to sign a prepared affidavit that he read during the committee hearing, and by whom?” Lacson posted on X.
In Filipino: Lacson: Makatutulong ang Manila RTC sa Paglutas sa Misteryo ng Affidavit ni Guteza
Earlier, lawyer Petchie Rose Espera, whose name appeared in Guteza’s affidavit, denied notarizing, signing or participating in the preparation of Guteza’s affidavit. She was quoted in reports as saying the signature and notarial details attributed to her were “falsified and unauthorized.”
During Thursday’s hearing, Sen. Rodante Marcoleta introduced Guteza, who he claimed was referred to him by ex-Rep. Michael Defensor, to the proceeding without advanced courtesy notice, not even to the committee chairman who replaced him earlier this month.
In his initial interpellation of Guteza, Marcoleta asked him if he had his sworn statement – which contained Espera’s supposed signature and related details – notarized, and if the notarization was genuine. Guteza answered in the affirmative.
“The executive judge may have to dig deeper into this,” Lacson noted.
At times during Thursday’s hearing, Marcoleta – who mentioned having read the statement when it was still a draft – was observed to be coaching Guteza by prompting him on what to say from his affidavit.
In the committee hearing last Tuesday, Marcoleta also questioned Lacson’s impartiality by citing a television interview where Lacson was asked on the credibility of witnesses. The Blue Ribbon Chairman countered that he was airing his personal opinion outside the Senate hall, which must not be questioned.
“Impartiality, my foot!” Lacson remarked, adding that credibility is not cast in stone as a witness can be credible in one thing and not credible in another.
On Friday, Guteza failed to attend a meeting with Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla following Guteza’s request for witness protection. The DOJ is also looking into Espera’s denial that she helped prepare Guteza’s document.
News reports also said two former colleagues of Guteza – Mark Bunagan and Allan Colesio – belied in affidavits Guteza’s claims of alleged cash deliveries to the houses of Romualdez and Co. Both Bunagan and Colesio expressed willingness to testify before the Senate or any court.
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Lacson: Makatutulong ang Manila RTC sa Paglutas sa Misteryo ng Affidavit ni Guteza
Makatutulong ang Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) para lutasin ang misteryo sa kontrobersyal na affidavit ni Orly Guteza, ang “surprise witness” sa pagdinig ng Senate Blue Ribbon Committee nitong Huwebes, ayon kay Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson.
Ayon kay Lacson, na namumuno sa Blue Ribbon Committee, bahagi ng tungkulin ng executive judge ng RTC – si Carolina Icasiano Sison – ang magsiyasat ng mga paglabag kaugnay ng notarized documents sa loob ng kanyang hurisdiksyon.
“The Manila RTC can help unravel the mystery behind the now (in)famous Guteza affidavit since part of the executive judge’s function is to investigate violations relating to notarized documents within its jurisdiction. Was he just made to sign a prepared affidavit that he read during the committee hearing, and by whom?” ani Lacson sa isang post sa X nitong Biyernes ng gabi.
Nauna rito, itinanggi ng abogadong si Petchie Rose Espera, na ang pangalan ay lumitaw sa affidavit ni Guteza, na siya ay nag-notaryo, lumagda, o tumulong sa paghahanda ng dokumento. Ayon sa mga ulat, sinabi niyang ang pirma at notarial details na iniuugnay sa kanya ay palsipikado at walang awtorisasyon.
Sa pagdinig nitong Huwebes, ipinakilala ni Sen. Rodante Marcoleta si Guteza — na aniya ay ipinakilala sa kanya ni dating Rep. Michael Defensor — nang walang paunang abiso, kahit sa chairman ng komite na pumalit sa kanya nitong Setyembre.
Sa kanyang paunang interpelasyon kay Guteza, tinanong ni Marcoleta kung ang kanyang sinumpaang salaysay na may lagda at ibang detalye ni Espera “ay pinanotaryo ninyo” at kung “totoo po ba ang notaryong ito.” Kinumpirma ito ni Guteza.
“The executive judge may have to dig deeper into this,” ani Lacson.
Sa ilang bahagi naman ng pagdinig, napansin na tila ginagabayan ni Marcoleta si Guteza kung ano ang dapat nitong banggitin mula sa kanyang affidavit. Nabanggit ni Marcoleta na nabasa na ang salaysay ni Guteza nang draft pa ito.
Noon namang Martes, kinuwestiyon din ni Marcoleta ang pagiging patas ni Lacson sa pamamagitan ng pagbanggit sa isang panayam sa telebisyon kung saan tinanong si Lacson tungkol sa kredibilidad ng mga testigo. Sagot ni Lacson, ito ay kanyang personal na opinyon na sinabi sa labas ng bulwagan ng Senado at hindi dapat kuwestiyunin.
“Impartiality, my foot!” ani Lacson, sabay dagdag na ang kredibilidad ay hindi nakaukit sa bato — maaaring maging kapani-paniwala ang isang testigo sa isang bagay at hindi sa iba.
Noong Biyernes, hindi dumalo si Guteza sa nakatakdang pagpupulong kay Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla kaugnay ng kanyang kahilingan para sa witness protection. Kasabay nito, iniimbestigahan din ng DOJ ang pagtanggi ni Espera na siya ay tumulong sa paggawa ng dokumento ni Guteza.
Iniulat din nitong Biyernes na dalawang dating kasamahan ni Guteza—sina Mark Bunagan at Allan Colesio—ang bumaligtad sa pamamagitan ng kanilang mga affidavit laban sa pahayag ni Guteza tungkol sa umano’y paghahatid ng pera sa mga bahay nina Romualdez at Co. Kapwa nagpahayag sina Bunagan at Colesio ng kahandaang tumestigo sa Senado o alinmang hukuman.
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Does the original notarized sworn statement bear the seal of the notary public?
Katotohanan lang naman sana huwag mag imbento. Hay naku itong si Marcubeta, napaka unprofessional. Gumawa ng script, hindi pa inayis oh! Nagmadali ituro si Martin, tapos palabasin na si Martin eh bagman ni BBM siguro.