Ex-Marine Man Exposes Alleged Kleptocracy at the Heart of Phl Gov’t

Ex-Marine Man Exposes Alleged Kleptocracy at the Heart of Phl Gov’t

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 26, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A former member of the Philippine Marine Corps has ignited a firestorm of controversy, claiming a vast corruption scheme among powerful politicians.

In his sworn affidavit at the Senate, Orly Regala Guteza, bodyguard of Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Zaldy Co, said he was disillusioned and could no longer remain silent about the systematic looting of the country’s resources.

Guteza’s decision to expose the alleged corruption, he said, was fueled by recent Blue Ribbon Committee hearings.

He now connects his past involvement in “anomalous activities” to the corruption being investigated at the Senate.

He alleged that funds he helped transport – cash he now believes – were diverted from public services like disaster relief, education, and medical programs, ultimately filling the pockets of politicians.

Detailing his alleged role in transporting suitcases of money, Guteza recounted being hired as a security consultant for Co in December 2024.

His duties included guarding and transporting what was referred to as “basura” (Tagalog for “garbage”), which he later discovered to be suitcases filled with cash.

According to Guteza, each suitcase contained about P48 million (roughly $860,000), meticulously labeled with the amount on a post-it note.

He identified John Paul Estrada and Mark Tecsay, executive assistants of Co, as the ones receiving and counting the money at the congressman’s residence in Valle Verde 6, Pasig City.

One of the most explosive claims involved ACT CIS Partylist Rep. Eric Yap, whom Guteza alleged once delivered 46 suitcases to Co’s residence.

After the money was counted, Guteza said the suitcases would be brought to Co’s condo unit on the 56th floor of Horizon Residences in Taguig.

Guteza alleged a systematic skimming process.

He claimed that after transporting 46 suitcases to Co’s residence, 35 would be delivered to former House Speaker Martin Romualdez’s residence on McKinley Street in Taguig, with the remaining 11 suitcases left at Co’s condo unit.

Guteza told the Senate committee that he personally delivered “basura” suitcases to both Co’s and Romualdez’s residences on many occasions.

Despite fearing for his life and the safety of his family, Guteza is not seeking protection under the Witness Protection Program.

He said he owns a gun and can bravely defend himself against any threat.

His motivation for coming forward is to expose the truth and secure a better future for all Filipinos, he said.