Former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena Velasco, have yet to return to the Philippines, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Monday, October 5.
Matibag said the NBI remains in constant coordination with the Bureau of Immigration to determine whether the couple has re-entered the country.
"Wala pa kaming balita at we are in constant coordination with the Bureau of Immigration at wala pa naman ang pasabi na may entry o pabalik ang mag-asawa," Matibag said in an interview with DZRH's Dos Por Dos.
The NBI chief also said the latest information received by the bureau was that the couple remained in Niseko, Japan.
"Yun po yung huling information na pumasok po sa amin," Matibag said when asked about the couple's reported whereabouts.
Asked whether the Velascos had already left Japan or were planning to travel to the United States, Matibag said the NBI had no such information.
"Wala po po. Wala po po ang ganoon na information," he said.
The NBI had invited the Velasco couple, along with Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, to appear before the bureau on October 5 in connection with allegations raised by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
Gracioso, who previously served as part of Velasco's security detail, alleged in his sworn statement that he delivered cash-filled suitcases to members of the Duterte family on Velasco's instructions.
He claimed the deliveries amounted to more than ₱2 billion. The allegations are still being investigated by the NBI, and the personalities named in the affidavit have been given an opportunity to respond.
The Bureau of Immigration earlier confirmed that Velasco left the Philippines on August 30 and was supposed to return on September 14 but had not done so. Reports also said Rowena Velasco left the country on September 24.
Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte's camp has said she would not attend the October 5 NBI conference, requesting a copy of Gracioso's affidavit and supporting documents before responding to the allegations.
