Manila 6th District Representative Benny Abante Jr. reiterated that allegations linking him to supposed cash-filled luggage deliveries were baseless, saying the recantation of former security personnel Orly Guteza underscores the importance of establishing facts before serious accusations are treated as truth.
The House Committee on Human Rights Chair said Guteza’s admission that portions of his earlier account were allegedly fabricated reinforces the position Abante has maintained from the beginning: allegations of corruption must be supported by credible and verifiable evidence.
“From day one, I have categorically denied the accusations against me because they are not true. I have never received any maleta, any kickbacks, or anything of that nature,” the veteran legislator declared.
“The reputations of individuals and the integrity of our institutions cannot be made dependent on accusations that have not been supported by evidence.”
“The latest developments demonstrate precisely why allegations like these must be subjected to careful scrutiny. The reputations of individuals and the integrity of our institutions cannot be made dependent on accusations that have not been supported by evidence,” the seasoned lawmaker added.
Guteza, a retired Marine and former security personnel of former Ako Bicol Representative Zaldy Co, executed an affidavit dated Aug. 13 recanting previous statements regarding alleged deliveries of suitcases containing money.
In the affidavit, Guteza claimed he had no personal knowledge of certain alleged suitcase deliveries and accused Senator Rodante Marcoleta and former lawmaker Mike Defensor of pressuring him to make statements that were not true.
Abante had earlier taken legal action over similar allegations involving his name, filing cyberlibel and libel complaints against 18 supposed bagmen of Co and a media outlet over claims that he had received luggage containing cash.
At the time, he categorically denied having any connection with the individuals who accused him or with any supposed cash deliveries from Co.
“For the record, I have never dealt with or ever seen any of the 18 Marine Respondents. I have no dealings with regard to deliveries of money from former representative Zaldy Co,” Abante said in connection with the complaints.
He said the latest developments make it even more important to determine how the allegations arose and whether the claims made against him and others were supported by independent evidence.
“Hindi maaaring puro paratang lamang, lalo na kung pangalan at reputasyon ng isang tao ang nakataya.”
“I have always said: bring out the evidence. Show the documents. Show the records. Let the evidence speak for itself. Hindi maaaring puro paratang lamang, lalo na kung pangalan at reputasyon ng isang tao ang nakataya,” Abante stressed.
“This should not simply be about clearing one name or another. The public deserves to know the whole truth—how these accusations came about, whether they were supported by evidence, and whether anyone deliberately manufactured or encouraged false testimony,” he added.
The pastor-legislator said Scripture itself warns against the grave consequences of falsely accusing another person, citing the ninth commandment in Exodus 20:16 (KJV): “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.”
“This commandment is simple but profound. The truth matters. Our words matter. We must never use falsehoods to condemn another person, just as we must never use lies to shield anyone who has committed wrongdoing,” Abante concluded.
