The Philippine National Police (PNP) questioned former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.’s claim that he was unaware of his demotion and dismissal from the police service.
PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said Gracioso had already appealed his case before the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), indicating that he had been formally informed of the administrative proceedings against him.
“I highly doubt that na hindi niya alam kasi nag-appeal na nga po siya. So pag nag-appeal ka, it came from you. You were properly served asked an order for you to be able to appeal,” Co said.
Co also said Gracioso had served a demotion before he was eventually dismissed from the PNP.
“Kung hindi niya alam ay hindi po siya makakapag-appeal... Nag-serve din siya ng demotion kasi. So he was already promoted to corporal, that's why he's identifying himself as a corporal, and then he was demoted. So official record niya when he was dismissed is as a patrolman,” Co added.
NAPOLCOM records showed that Gracioso was demoted from police corporal to patrolman in 2025 over two counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. The records also showed that he had been suspended three times before his dismissal.
His suspensions were recorded from March 1 to 11, 2024; October 21 to December 18, 2025; and February 1 to July 31, 2026. His 2025 suspension involved a case for grave threat, according to the records.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier confirmed that Gracioso had been assigned as a security officer or staff member of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. Nartatez said Gracioso had previously faced administrative and criminal cases while assigned to the Police Regional Office 4A (Calabarzon), dating back to around 2021 or 2022.
Gracioso was dismissed from the police service effective September 11, 2026. The dismissal order carried additional penalties, including cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and disqualification from re-employment in government service.
The former policeman recently surfaced with allegations that he had delivered suitcases containing large amounts of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, allegedly upon the instructions of Velasco. The allegations are now being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Gracioso’s dismissal does not automatically invalidate his allegations, but the claims and evidence he submitted will undergo verification. He also said Gracioso could face perjury charges if his allegations are proven false.
The NBI said Gracioso passed a lie detector test on matters concerning his identity and relationship with the personalities he mentioned, but not on the specific allegations contained in his affidavit.
Vice President Duterte has denied knowing Gracioso and receiving money from him, while Velasco’s camp has also rejected the allegations.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Monday that authorities will take Gracioso’s allegations “seriously.”
