Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at a Quezon City court, September 11, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte rejected Tuesday dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.’s allegation that he delivered billions of pesos worth of cash to her.
“Mariin kong tinatanggi ang mga pahayag ni Rodulfo Mondigo Gracioso Jr. sa kaniyang sinumpaang salaysay at mga panayam sa media na iniuugnay ako sa mga pangyayaring hindi ko ginawa, hindi ko nalalaman, o hindi ko personal na naranasan,” Duterte said in a press conference.
Duterte said following a review of old photos, she said she believed Gracioso could have been one of the personnel hired by former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s wife to keep an eye on him.
Velasco knows Gracioso, denies money delivery claims — lawyer
But Duterte asserted that Gracioso could have never directly approached her due to the strict security protocols implemented by the Presidential Security Group for her family since the start of her father’s presidency in 2016.
“Hindi kailanman nangyari na ako ay sinundo ni Gracioso sa isang private hangar sa Pasay, sumakay sa isang Ford…na van at inihatid sa Diamond Hotel,” she said.
Duterte receives NBI invite for investigation on Gracioso's allegations
Presenting several photos, Duterte added that contrary to Gracioso’s claims, she and former Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas were not in Marinduque during Holy Week of 2019 nor was she in Manila on Sept. 21, 2019
She likened Gracioso to Ramil Madriaga, who had linked her to alleged illegal campaign funding and cash deliveries.
“Ang Gracioso affidavit ay tulad ng Madriaga affidavit na naglalagay ng akusasyon, ngunit hindi naglalagay ng detalye na puwedeng i-verify of i-confirm,” the Vice President said.
More details to follow.
Sara Duterte addresses claims in NBI affidavit on money delivery allegations
DOJ still evaluating Gracioso's cash delivery allegations