Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Monday said authorities will take 'seriously' the allegations of dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered large amounts of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte from former House Speaker Rep. Lord Allan Velasco.

Remulla said Gracioso’s claims will undergo investigation as authorities seek to establish the truth behind the allegations. Gracioso is also being considered for the government’s witness protection program, according to a report by RH Edniel Parrosa.

“Yung mga ganito kasi marami gusto magliham ng sitwasyon. But we will take all his statements with all seriousness para malaman natin kung ano ang katotohanan,” Remulla said.

His remarks came as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) examines Gracioso’s claims that he delivered cash-filled suitcases to Duterte and other personalities.

He also claimed that the alleged system involving cash deliveries and kickbacks in flood control projects had been in place since 2016 and continued until 2025, when President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered it stopped.

“Itong sistema naman ng flood control nag-umpisa ‘yan 2016 pa lang, ganyang klaseng male-malta. Natigil ito noong 2025 nung sinabi ng ating Pangulo na itigil ’yan… But for nine years, tuloy-tuloy ’yan,” Remulla said.

Gracioso is currently under NBI custody as authorities investigate his allegations.

The former police officer recently surfaced and claimed that he delivered suitcases containing cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, allegedly upon the instructions of Velasco.

Gracioso claimed that the cash deliveries to the vice president alone totaled more than ₱2 billion.