Romualdez camp confronts 'maleta boy' witness over affidavit 'errors,' recantations

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The camp of former speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez confronted prosecution witness Rodante Orbillo over his signature in a February 2026 joint affidavit of 18 former bodyguards of former Ako Bicol party-list representative Zaldy Co, which contained errors as stated by Orbillo's counsel, Levito Baligod.

Lawyer Rashel Ann Pomoy, counsel for Romualdez, made the move during Day 3 of Romualdez's bail petition hearing. She played videos in court of Baligod saying that the February 2026 joint affidavit of 18 ex-bodyguards made an error in including Senator Loren Legarda and ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima.

Pomoy said the February 2026 affidavit was the root of the subsequent allegations made against Romualdez and other public officials, and was announced in a press conference where Orbillo was present, ultimately resulting in the filing of P7.4-billion plunder charge against her client in September this year.

Asked by Pomoy if he was aware of Baligod's statements that the February affidavit contained errors, Orbillo answered in the affirmative.

The prosecution panel objected to the defense's line of questioning, saying that Orbillo cannot answer for Baligod's pronouncements.

Pomoy, however, argued that Orbillo can be confronted with such questions since he signed the February 2026 affidavit.

"He is one of the affiants (signatories) of the affidavit as indicated by Atty. Baligod. These [errors] directly affect the matters of the affidavit because [there are] affiants who have recanted inclusion of certain individuals, and that Atty. Baligod said these were errors," Pomoy said.

"We want to know who is the person that is behind them coming out and saying these things," Pomoy added.

During her cross examination on Orbillo, Pomoy also invoked the recantation made by Mark Bunagan and Dennis Loma, given that Orbillo stated in his August 2026 affidavit submitted to the Ombudsman that he was with the two individuals in his money deliveries to Romualdez.

Orbillo said he was not aware of the recantation of Bunagan and Loma.

"Hindi ko alam iyong pinapasinungalingan," Orbillo said.

(I do not know what they are disputing.)

Romualdez's counsel also asked Orbillo if he was aware that alleged whistleblower Orly Guteza, Rosebert Waupan and Benny Boluntante, who are among the 18 ex-bodyguards of Co, already recanted their statements against Romualdez.

Orbillo answered in the affirmative.

During the redirect examination of the prosecution, Orbillo also said he delivered money in suitcases to Romualdez at least 10 times, but that Romualdez was not present in those deliveries.

Asked by Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda what made him testify even if there were offers of money worth P15 million to P20 million as claimed by Orbillo, he answered: "Kung kumagat po kami sa offer nilang iyon, wala na pong magsasalita sa nangyaring korapsyon sa flood control."

Miranda responded by reminding Orbillo that he should only speak for himself.

"Don't speak for the others. Ang tinatanong ko, ikaw (I'm asking you)," the magistrate said.

Orbillo said he testified "para sa bayan (for the nation)."

Miranda responded that it is always easier to speak big.

"Madaling magsabi na para sa bayan, lalo na kung malalaking amount ang involved (It's easy to say that it's for the nation, especially if huge amounts are involved)," he said.

Orbillo replied by saying, "Gusto lang po namin maglahad ng katotohanan (I only want to reveal the truth)." — VDV, GMA News