DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Vice President Sara Duterte and her former City Hall aide denied allegations from a former congressman’s security that they received millions in cash during her tenure as Davao City mayor.
Former Police Corporal Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed in an affidavit filed with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Sept. 30 that he was instructed by his superior, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco of Marinduque, to deliver cash totaling millions to members of the Duterte family, including Vice President Duterte.
Gracioso said he served as Velasco’s head of security from 2018 to 2022.
He alleged his first delivery to Vice President Duterte occurred in 2018, when he was instructed by Velasco’s wife to deliver P20 million in a small suitcase.
The money allegedly came from government projects.
He said they traveled to Diamond Hotel and were instructed to hand the suitcase to Jefry Tupas, the vice president’s former City Information Officer.
Gracioso said there were additional deliveries not only to Vice President Duterte but also to former President Rodrigo Duterte and Rep. Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte.
The former security officer said he frequently delivered between P20 million and P50 million at a time to the vice president until 2022, claiming the total reached P2 billion.
The ties between Velasco and Vice President Duterte became public in October 2020, when they met to discuss term-sharing arrangements for the House speakership among Duterte allies in Congress. Velasco secured the speakership after the meeting and served until June 2022.
Denies knowing accuser
Vice President Duterte said in a statement she does not know Gracioso and called him a liar.
She characterized Gracioso’s claims as another media stunt as she faces the impeachment proceedings. She is considering filing charges against the former security aide.
“Once we are done dismantling the lies contained in his testimony, it will end up in the trash—just like the one from Ramil Madriaga,” she said.
Vice President Duterte referred to Madriaga, her former aide whose confession regarding the vice president’s confidential funds forms part of the testimonial evidence in her impeachment case.
In his affidavit, Gracioso submitted photographic evidence, including a group photo of himself with Velasco, Duterte and Tupas.
Tupas was subpoenaed by the NBI and responded with a counter statement, denying Gracioso’s allegations.
Tupas denied meeting Gracioso in Marinduque in April 2019 to accept a suitcase of money, saying she had never been to Marinduque and was in Korea per her passport records.
The former aide also denied another alleged meeting Gracioso on Sept. 19, 2019, saying she flew to Japan that day.
Tupas refuted allegations that Gracioso delivered money in vans to Vice President Duterte.
“All I can say is that it is all fabricated and completely untrue. At no time did it happen that I receive a suitcase of money, a gift, or a vehicle for Sara Z. Duterte,” Tupas said in Filipino.
Velasco has denied the allegations of his former security officer.
The NBI said it will continue its investigation into Gracioso’s allegations.
Vice President Duterte is facing an impeachment proceedings, with unexplained wealth based on her bank accounts and Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth among the grounds cited. (davaotoday.com)
