By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson is pushing for tougher criminal penalties against individuals who pressure, coerce or induce witnesses to commit perjury, warning that the growing cycle of testimonies and recantations could turn false evidence into a “lucrative business” in politically charged cases.
Lacson said Friday he would file a bill imposing heavier prison terms and fines for those who force or persuade another person to give false testimony, following the recent recantation of Orly Guteza and several members of the so-called “Maleta Boys” in allegations involving former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and other officials.
“Orly Guteza’s recantation should not end there,” Lacson said in a post on X, citing Republic Act No. 11594, which was enacted in October 2021 and increased the penalty for perjury to prision mayor.
Under the law, prision mayor carries imprisonment of six years and one day to 12 years.
Lacson said the law also holds liable as a principal by inducement anyone who causes another person to commit perjury.
“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,” he said.
He also called for stricter enforcement of the existing Anti-Perjury Law, saying the current implementation of the increased penalties under RA 11594 remains “wanting.”
Lacson said the person directly harmed or prejudiced by false testimony may initiate a complaint against those responsible for inducing the perjury.
“(T)he person directly offended or prejudiced by the perjury may file,” he said, citing Guteza’s case and identifying Romualdez as the possible complainant.
“If not him, for some reason, any public officer charged with enforcing the law,” Lacson added.
The senator pointed to the potential impact of the law on public officials involved in perjury cases. Under Article 183 of the Revised Penal Code, when the offender is a public officer or employee, the maximum imprisonment is increased to 12 years, alongside perpetual absolute disqualification from holding any appointive or elective government position.
But Lacson stressed that the recantations themselves do not automatically destroy the cases involving the original allegations.
Guteza, a retired Marine and former security aide of fugitive former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co, withdrew his September 2025 testimony that he had delivered suitcases allegedly containing cash to Romualdez in connection with an alleged flood control kickback scheme.
In an affidavit dated Aug. 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 in connection with allegations involving the non-declaration of campaign donations.
Lacson’s proposed legislation would place greater legal consequences not only on those who give false testimony but also on individuals who allegedly orchestrate, pressure or induce witnesses to do so—an effort he said is needed to curb the use of fabricated or recanted testimony as a political weapon.
ia/xf
