The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte has dismissed as “tanim witness” the appearance before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of a man identified as alias “Chris,” who claimed to be the former driver of ex-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and alleged that he had delivered suitcases of money to the Vice President.
Atty. Salvador Paolo Panelo Jr., Duterte’s spokesperson, told DZRH News that alias Chris may continue to fabricate allegations, but the truth cannot be distorted.
"Another day, another tanim witness," Panelo said.
The spokesperson said the Vice President is prepared to dispute each accusation through evidence at the proper time.
He also urged media organizations not only to report the claims but to thoroughly examine and verify them.
This, he said, would allow journalists to see how the Fourth Estate is allegedly being used as a weapon in what he described as a continuing but ineffective black propaganda campaign against the Vice President.
During a media briefing on Thursday, alias Chris claimed that he twice delivered 15 suitcases of money to Duterte in 2021 and 2022, allegedly upon Velasco’s instructions.
However, he admitted that he did not know how much money the suitcases contained, saying he neither saw their contents nor witnessed the actual turnover to the Vice President.
The NBI is currently reviewing the affidavit submitted by alias Chris, who also identified himself as a former colleague of Rodulfo Graciosio Jr.
[Reports from RH Jecelle Ricafort]
