The situation, in brief
The ex-security aide of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that he personally delivered suitcases filled with cash to the houses of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. During the committee’s hearing on Thursday, September 25, Orly Guteza told…
The ex-security aide of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co testified before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee that he personally delivered suitcases filled with cash to the houses of Co and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
During the committee’s hearing on Thursday, September 25, Orly Guteza told senators that during his stint as Co’s security aide, he was often assigned to “duty sa basura,” a code word referring to the transport of alleged kickbacks.
“Ang bawat maleta ay may post-it na nakadikit na nakasaad kung magkano ang laman ng bawat maleta,” he said.
According to him, the deliveries were received by Co’s executive assistants, John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay.
“Tuwing may duty detailed ‘basura,’ may pupunta na tao na magde-deliver ng basura at ire-receive ni John Paul Estrada at Mark Tecsay… sila ang mga detailed sa mga ganyang activities,” Guteza added.
He recalled that the suitcases were usually brought to Co’s residence at Valle Verde 6, Pasig City.
“Pagkatapos naming maibaba ang nasabing mga basura, ipinapasok sa bahay ni Cong. Zaldy Co sa Valle Verde 6 at binibilang ni Mark at ni Paul,” Guteza testified, adding that he once saw Estrada open a suitcase and count the bundles of cash inside.
Guteza further alleged that one of the couriers was ACT-CIS Party-list Rep. Eric Yap, who supposedly brought 46 suitcases to Co’s residence.
“Ang isang ehemplo na nagdala ng pera ay si Cong. Eric Yap. 46 na maleta ang dala niya sa bahay ni Zaldy Co sa Valle Verde 6,” he said.
After the counting, Guteza said the cash-filled luggage would be transported to Horizon Residences in Taguig, where Co lived on the 56th floor.
“Pagdating sa Horizon Residences, dumidiretso kami sa basement upang maibaba ang nasabing basura at dalhin sa unit ni Cong. Zaldy Co,” he told the panel.
However, Guteza claimed that not all the suitcases ended up with Co.
“Bago ibaba ang nasabing basura, ito ay bawas na. Halimbawa, nag-akyat kami ng 46 na maleta, ibababa lang namin ay 35 para i-deliver sa mga bahay ni House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said.
