National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Monday, October 5, described as “misleading” the response of Vice President Sara Duterte’s lawyer regarding the bureau’s invitation for her to appear in connection with allegations raised by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
Matibag said Duterte’s lawyer questioned why a copy of Gracioso’s affidavit was not attached to the NBI’s invitation.
The NBI chief, however, clarified that the bureau’s invitation did not state that the affidavit would be attached.
"Medyo misleading po yung letter ng lawyer ni Vice President na sinabi ko daw doon sa invitation na attach doon," Matibag said in an interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
"Ang sinabi ko lang, 'referring to the affidavit,' wala po tayong sinabing attach," he added.
Matibag explained that it is standard practice for the NBI to provide the documents and evidence relevant to an investigation when the invited individual appears before the bureau.
"Nagpadala po kami ng imbitasyon, ang abogado po ni Vice President, sumagot. Ang sagot niya mayroon daw dapat naka-attach na affidavit, e wala namang nakasama doon sa imbitasyon na attach doon yung affidavit," he said.
"Ang practice po namin sa Bureau, pagka po kami nagpatawag doon po namin ibinibigay yung mga kailangan nilang ebidensya o dokumento na kailangan pagbasehan ng kanilang pagsagot," he added.
Matibag maintained that Duterte should attend the NBI conference, where she may request copies of the documents relevant to the allegations.
"Hindi po ganoon yun. Kailangan po dumalo at doon po sila makakapag-request ng kopya ng mga dokumento," he said.
Asked what the NBI would do if Duterte does not attend, Matibag said the bureau would continue its investigation and may issue another invitation or exercise its subpoena power, depending on how the probe develops.
"We will proceed... maaaring imbitahan po ulit o maaaring kung mayroon pong ibang dumalo na magbibigay po ng linaw, magde-develop po sa isang imbestigasyon, we exercise our subpoena power," Matibag said.
The NBI invited Duterte and other individuals in connection with allegations made by Gracioso, who has claimed that he delivered cash to members of the Duterte family.
The allegations remain under investigation.
