Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, October 12, accused the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of protecting dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. amid allegations that members of the Duterte family received cash deliveries.
Speaking during the Office of the Vice President’s (OVP) 91st anniversary kick-off celebration, Duterte questioned the NBI’s handling of Gracioso, who alleged that he delivered billions of pesos to members of the Duterte family on the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
“Diba ang handler ni Gracioso ay yung National Bureau of Investigation? The way that the NBI defends Gracioso and lahat ng mga sinasabi ni Gracioso,” Duterte said.
She also questioned the bureau’s actions in handling the alleged witness, claiming that the NBI itself was defending Gracioso.
“The way that NBI protects and handles Gracioso, lalayo pa ba tayo? Kita naman sa mga actions ng NBI kung paano nila hinahandle si Gracioso. Sila pa nga yung nagde-defend mismo doon sa supposed witness kuno nila,” she added.
Duterte’s remarks came after her legal team said it was considering filing perjury and libel complaints against Gracioso over allegations that he delivered large amounts of cash to the Vice President and her family.
On October 8, Duterte’s lawyer, Atty. Clifford Chua, submitted her sworn affidavit and supporting documents to the NBI. The Vice President did not personally appear before the bureau, with her lawyer making what he described as a “special appearance” on her behalf.
Duterte’s affidavit reportedly identified 29 statements in Gracioso’s sworn testimony that her camp considers false. The documents also included photographs previously presented by the Vice President during a press conference.
Gracioso, a former security aide to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, alleged that he delivered more than ₱2 billion to Sara Duterte, ₱1 billion to former president Rodrigo Duterte, and ₱100 million to Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
He claimed the deliveries began in 2018 and involved suitcases of cash allegedly delivered upon the instructions of Velasco and his wife, Rowena.
The Duterte family has denied the allegations. Sara Duterte has said she did not know Gracioso and had never received money from him.
Former Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas, whom Gracioso allegedly identified as a recipient of cash on the Vice President’s behalf, has also denied receiving the money.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier said the bureau would review Duterte’s affidavit and examine the photographs and other evidence submitted by her camp to determine their authenticity.
The NBI has also said it would validate Gracioso’s allegations and compare the evidence provided by the parties before reaching conclusions.
Matibag previously stated that Gracioso could face a perjury complaint if investigators establish that his statements were deliberately false.
