Manila: Senator Panfilo Lacson has announced plans to seek harsher penalties for individuals who coerce or induce witnesses to commit perjury. This comes in the wake of recent recantations by Orly Guteza and several members of the group known as the "Maleta Boys" against former House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez and other officials.
According to Philippines News Agency, Lacson is advocating for stricter enforcement of the existing Anti-Perjury Law to combat the growing issue of testimonies and recantations, particularly those targeting political figures. "Orly Guteza's recantation should not end there. Republic Act (RA) No. 11594, which we passed in October 2021, has increased the penalty for perjury to prision mayor. Further, a person who induces another to commit perjury is also liable for being a principal by inducement," Lacson stated in a post on X.
Prision mayor, under the law, carries a sentence ranging from six years and a day to a maximum of 12 years. Lacson further noted his intention to file a bill that would impose a heavier penalty and fine for subornation of perjury, or when a person induces or forces another to commit perjury. He emphasized that the person directly affected by the perjury could file a complaint against those responsible for inducing false testimony.
Lacson highlighted that the implementation of the increased penalties under RA 11594 is lacking. He pointed out that under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, if the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum jail time is extended to 12 years, along with a lifetime ban from holding any appointive or elective government position.
The senator also clarified that despite the heavier penalties, the recantations might not necessarily weaken the cases against those implicated. Guteza, a retired Marine and former security aide of fugitive former Ako Bicol representative Zaldy Co, had retracted his September 2025 testimony, which alleged that he delivered suitcases containing cash to Romualdez as part of a purported flood control kickback scheme.
In an affidavit dated August 13, Guteza claimed that Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker and Cabinet official Mike Defensor pressured him to implicate Romualdez. Marcoleta and Defensor are currently detained on charges related to plunder and alleged non-declaration of campaign donations.
