Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday failed to appear at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to comply with the bureau’s invitation amid its probe into the “cash delivery” allegations of dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.

Instead, Duterte sent her legal counsel, Atty. Clifford Chua, who arrived at the NBI to submit the Vice President’s affidavit.

The document includes photographs Duterte presented during her press conference on Tuesday.

The affidavit also contains what Duterte’s camp described as 29 “false” statements allegedly made by Gracioso, a former security aide of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Chua said the documents and other evidence would be submitted to the bureau on Duterte’s behalf.

Duterte’s camp had earlier confirmed to DZRH News that the Vice President would not personally appear before the NBI. Her appearance was originally scheduled for October 5, but her camp requested that it be rescheduled.

Earlier, NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag said the bureau would review Duterte’s affidavit and the evidence submitted by her camp. He added that the materials, including the photographs, would undergo validation to determine their authenticity.

The NBI’s invitation stemmed from Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered more than ₱2 billion in cash to Duterte, ₱1 billion to former President Rodrigo Duterte, and ₱100 million to Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong“ Duterte.

Gracioso alleged that the cash deliveries began in 2018 and were made in suitcases upon the instructions of his former boss, Velasco, and Velasco’s wife, Rowena.

The Velasco couple, who remain abroad, were also invited by the NBI to participate in the fact-finding investigation.

(News update via RH Jecelle Ricafort)