Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief P/Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Monday confirmed that dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. had served as part of the security detail of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

“He had been detailed as a security or staff of former Speaker Velasco,” Nartatez said in an interview.

Gracioso recently surfaced and claimed that he had 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. He claimed that the deliveries to the vice president alone amounted to more than ₱2 billion.

Vice President Duterte has denied knowing Gracioso and described Gracioso’s statements as a “media stunt” and an attempt to revive what she called a faltering impeachment case against her.

Meanwhile, Nartatez said Gracioso was dismissed from the police service on September 11, 2026, following the resolution of administrative and criminal cases against him.

Nartatez said Gracioso had previously faced an administrative case and a corresponding criminal complaint in 2021 or 2022 while assigned to the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon).

“Gracioso had been investigated [in an] administrative case and there is a corresponding criminal case filed against him. But that was long before, I think it’s a case in year 2022 or 2021,” Nartatez said.

“And so now, administration ng justice natin in terms of admin case finally na-resolve, resulting to his dismissal from the service. Before that, mayroon din siyang kaakibat na suspension that was been served,” he added.

The allegations are being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).