BBM stays out of probe on Martin; Ping leery of Guteza

Following the statement of a former security aide that he personally delivered millions of pesos to the residences of Rep. Zaldy Co and ex-speaker Martin Romualdez, Malacañang assured the public that President Marcos would stay out of the investigation, even if it involves his relatives and allies.

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“If there really is such an incident, just prove it,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said yesterday at a briefing. “The President will not interfere in these investigations.”

This developed as Senate President Pro Tempore Panfilo Lacson called for a full background check on Orly Guteza, a former Marine who claimed to have personally delivered 46 Rimowa suitcases containing P48 million each to the homes of Romualdez and Co.

“Without the courtesy of notice even to the committee chairman, a totally surprise witness in Thursday's Blue Ribbon hearing, a complete record check and background investigation on Orly Regala Guteza is in order, owing to the gravity and seriousness of his testimony," Lacson said.