A former security officer of Rep. Zaldy Co alleged under oath on Thursday before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that he routinely delivered suitcases of cash from Co’s condominium unit in Taguig City to the house of former Speaker Martin Romualdez in Forbes Park.
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta, who presented Guteza to the committee, said the witness, a Philippine Marines member, was introduced to him by former Quezon City congressman Mike Defensor.
Guteza said Co employed him in December 2024 as a security consultant.
He claimed that while still employed by Co, he allegedly delivered suitcases of money to Romualdez at least three times a week.
He said that aside from Romualdez’s house in Forbes Park, they also delivered money to his two other houses.
The deliveries, he said, were coordinated by Co’s staff whom he identified as John Paul Estrada and Mark Piksay.
Guteza narrated that at one time, he and his companions allegedly delivered 35 suitcases full of money to Romualdez’s house in Forbes Park.
Each suitcase contained P48 million, which was written on a post-it note placed on each suitcase.
He said that initially, they delivered 46 suitcases to Co’s house in Valle Verde 6.
After Estrada and Piksay counted the money, the suitcases were brought to Co’s condominium unit on the 56th floor of Horizons Residence in BGC.
He said that of the 46 suitcases, only 35 were delivered to Romualdez’s Forbes Park house. The 11 other suitcases were supposedly kept by Co.
Guteza made his allegations in a sworn affidavit which he presented to the Senate panel.
He also openly stated that he wanted to turn state witness to ensure his own and his family’s security.
