Lawyer denies she notarized affidavit of Senate witness
A lawyer denied that she notarized or prepared the affidavit read at the Senate on Thursday by Orly Regala Guteza, who introduced himself as a former bodyguard of Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and claimed to have delivered kickbacks from public works projects.
“I categorically deny notarizing, signing, or participating in the preparation of the said document. The signature and notarial details attributed to me are falsified and unauthorized,” Petchie Rose Espera said in a letter to a news network asking that its social media post showing the affidavit be taken down.
In her letter demanding the deletion of the post, Espera said: “The use of my name and notarial commission in connection with said document is spurious, fraudulent, and injurious to my reputation as a member of the Bar and as a commissioned Notary Public.”
Sen. Rodante Marcoleta presented Guteza to the Senate blue ribbon committee hearing, informing the body that the witness was referred to him by former lawmaker Michael Defensor.
Guteza, said to be a former Marine, read an affidavit purportedly notarized by Espera, where he said delivered suitcases full of “trash” — a code for cash — to the homes of Co and former Speaker Martin Romualdez.
