In a dramatic and shocking development in Philippine politics, a public challenge has been issued, directed at a mystery witness and a veteran senator. The challenge not only demands the truth but also could expose hidden conspiracies in one of the country’s biggest corruption scandals. Senator Erwin Tulfo, in his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Blue Shirts, loudly demanded Senator Rodante Marcoleta to “get Guteza out!”—a simple command that carried the weight of a declaration of war.

The whole country is holding its breath waiting.

To understand the gravity of this challenge, we must return to the flood control projects scandal, a quagmire of corruption that has engulfed billions of pesos in public funds. At the center of this case was Orly Guteza, a surprise witness introduced by Senator Marcoleta before the Senate Blue Shirt Committee. Guteza gave shocking testimony, bluntly alleging that he had delivered suitcases full of cash—billions of pesos—to high-ranking officials, including then-Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez and former Congressman Zaldy Uy. The testimony created a political earthquake that promised to topple many powerful figures.

But after sparking a scandal that could have destroyed political careers, Guteza disappeared without a trace. He failed to show up at the Department of Justice (DOJ) to be interviewed and placed in the Witness Protection Program, a crucial step to ensure his safety and to verify his testimony. His disappearance raises countless questions: Who hid Guteza? Why did he not appear? Was his testimony credible or part of a larger conspiracy?

And that’s where Senator Erwin Tulfo comes in. As Vice Chairman (and acting Chairman) of the Senate Blue Shirt Committee, Tulfo not only assumed a powerful investigative position, but also demonstrated an uncompromising determination to bring the truth to light. He saw a terrifying flaw in the investigation: a key witness had disappeared, leaving charges hanging and powerful figures cornered without a chance to confront him.

Tulfo’s challenge to Senator Marcoleta was clear and direct: “Ilalabas mo si Guteza sa lungga niya!”—Bring Guteza out of his lair! Tulfo not only demanded that Guteza come forward, but also implied that Marcoleta, the one who had brought Guteza to light in the first place, knew where he was. This was a call to account, a questioning of Marcoleta’s role in protecting—or concealing—a key witness.

Senator Tulfo stressed that this was a golden opportunity for all parties. If Guteza really had evidence and his testimony was true, it was time for him to have the courage to face those he had accused. “Harapin niya itong si Romualdez at si Zaldy!”—Face Romualdez and Zaldy! Tulfo called for a public confrontation before the Senate, where Guteza could repeat his testimony under oath, and the accused could also answer directly.

The challenge was not limited to Guteza and Marcoleta. Tulfo also publicly invited Martin Romualdez, former Speaker of the House, and Zaldy Uy, former Representative, to attend the upcoming hearing. Despite inter-parliamentary courtesy, Tulfo believed that with his good working relationship with both Romualdez and Uy, he could convince them to appear. This was a strategic move, aimed at eliminating any reason for delay and pushing the parties toward an inevitable confrontation.

Guteza’s disappearance not only hindered the investigation, but also cast doubt on the veracity of his initial testimony. When a witness disappears after making serious allegations, it significantly undermines his credibility. Tulfo pointed out that if Guteza truly feared for his safety, the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program was the only place that could provide the necessary protection. His failure to appear at the DOJ only raised further doubts about his true motives and Marcoleta’s role in the case.

The next Senate Blue Shirt Committee hearings, scheduled for November 10, are not only an opportunity to shed light on the flood control scandal, but also a test of the Senate’s resilience and independence. Tulfo has pledged to hold one or two more hearings to conclude the investigation, stressing that the goal is to make legislative recommendations to prevent similar corruption in the future. He has also been outspoken in his vow to ask tough, even directly incriminating, questions of those accused.

Erwin Tulfo’s challenge is not a political stunt. It is a call to action, a demand for accountability and transparency in a system too often clouded by secrecy and backroom dealings. If Guteza comes forward, confronts those he has accused, and his testimony is corroborated, it will be a major victory for justice. If, on the other hand, he remains at large, it will be an indelible stain on those who brought him to light, and a bitter victory for those who suppressed the truth.

The whole country is watching. Does Marcoleta have Guteza as his “trump card”? Will Guteza dare to face the truth? Or will this multi-billion dollar scandal be forever forgotten under the shadow of evasion and unanswered challenges?