By Leonel Abasola
MANILA – Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said he would seek harsher penalties for those who coerce or induce witnesses to perjure themselves following the recent recantations of Orly Guteza and several members of the so-called “Maleta Boys” against former House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez and other officials.
Lacson also sought stricter enforcement of the current Anti-Perjury Law to curb the “lucrative business” of testimonies and recantations, especially those targeting political personalities.
“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,” he said in a post on X.
Prision mayor carries a sentence of six years and a day to a maximum 12 years.
“I will file a bill imposing heavier penalty and fine for subornation of perjury or if a person induces or forces another to commit perjury,” Lacson added.
He said the person directly offended or prejudiced by the perjury may file such a complaint against those who induced someone else to commit perjury.
“(T)he person directly offended or prejudiced by the perjury may file. In Guteza’s case, ex-Speaker Romualdez. If not him, for some reason, any public officer charged with enforcing the law,” he said.
Lacson said the implementation of increased penalties under RA 11594 “is wanting.”
Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, if the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum jail time is increased to 12 years, along with perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective position in government.
Lacson added that aside from the heavier penalties in the law, the recantations may 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 recanted his September 2025 testimony that he delivered suitcases containing cash to Romualdez in connection with an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
In an affidavit dated Aug. 13, Guteza said Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker and Cabinet official Mike Defensor pressured him to implicate Romualdez.
Marcoleta and Defensor are currently detained, but due to plunder in connection with alleged non-declaration of campaign donations. (PNA)
