Released October 16, 2026 2:44 pm
Make this your favored source to get more updates from this publisher on Google.
The camp of previous speaker and Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez faced prosecution witness Rodante Orbillo over his signature in a February 2026 joint affidavit of 18 previous bodyguards of previous Ako Bicol party-list agent Zaldy Co, which consisted of mistakes as mentioned by Orbillo’s counsel, Levito Baligod.
Attorney Rashel Ann Pomoy, counsel for Romualdez, made the relocation throughout Day 3 of Romualdez’s bail petition hearing. She played videos in court of Baligod stating that the February 2026 joint affidavit of 18 ex-bodyguards made a mistake in consisting of Senator Loren Legarda and ML party-list Representative Leila de Lima.
Pomoy stated the February 2026 affidavit was the root of the subsequent claims made versus Romualdez and other public authorities, and was revealed in an interview where Orbillo existed, eventually leading to the filing of P7.4-billion plunder charge versus her customer in September this year.
Asked by Pomoy if he understood Baligod’s declarations that the February affidavit consisted of mistakes, Orbillo addressed in the affirmative.
Other Stories
The prosecution panel challenged the defense’s line of questioning, stating that Orbillo can not address for Baligod’s declarations.
Pomoy, nevertheless, argued that Orbillo can be faced with such concerns given that he signed the February 2026 affidavit.
“He is one of the affiants (signatories) of the affidavit as indicated by Atty. Baligod. These directly affect the matters of the affidavit because affiants who have recanted inclusion of certain individuals, and that Atty. Baligod said these were errors,” Pomoy stated.
“We want to know who is the person that is behind them coming out and saying these things,” Pomoy included.
Throughout her cross evaluation on Orbillo, Pomoy likewise conjured up the recantation made by Mark Bunagan and Dennis Loma, considered that Orbillo specified in his August 2026 affidavit sent to the Ombudsman that he was with the 2 people in his cash shipments to Romualdez.
Orbillo stated he was not familiar with the recantation of Bunagan and Loma.
“Hindi ko alam iyong pinapasinungalingan,” Orbillo stated.
(I do not understand what they are contesting.)
Romualdez’s counsel likewise asked Orbillo if he understood that supposed whistleblower Orly Guteza, Rosebert Waupan and Benny Boluntante, who are amongst the 18 ex-bodyguards of Co, currently recanted their declarations versus Romualdez.
Orbillo addressed in the affirmative.
Throughout the redirect evaluation of the prosecution, Orbillo likewise stated he provided cash in travel suitcases to Romualdez a minimum of 10 times, however that Romualdez was not present in those shipments.
Asked by Sandiganbayan Third Division chairperson and Associate Justice Karl Miranda what made him affirm even if there were deals of cash worth P15 million to P20 million as declared by Orbillo, he responded to: “Kung kumagat po kami sa offer nilang iyon, wala na pong magsasalita sa nangyaring korapsyon sa flood control.”
Miranda reacted by advising Orbillo that he ought to just promote himself.
“Don’t speak for the others. Ang tinatanong ko, ikaw (I’m asking you),” the magistrate stated.
Orbillo stated he affirmed “para sa bayan (for the nation).”
Miranda reacted that it is constantly simpler to speak huge.
“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 stated.
Orbillo responded by stating, “Gusto lang po namin maglahad ng katotohanan (I only want to reveal the truth).” — VDV, GMA News
Discover more from PMN S.P.O.R.T.S - A PRIME MEDIA NETWORK BRAND
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
