Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to her legal counsel outside the Quezon City Regional Trial Cour, September 5, 2026. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation said Monday the claims of former policeman Rodulfo Gracioso, Jr. against Vice President Sara Duterte, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and others were still subject to evaluation.
Director Melvin Matibag said it was still early to believe the claims of Gracioso that he delivered suitcases of money to the Vice President and her brother Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte upon the instructions of Velasco and his wife Rowena.
“Alam niyo pag may pumasok sa aming ebidensya, hindi naman kaagad paniwalaan natin iyan eh kaya nga National Bureau of Investigation, so we will investigate kung ano ang katotohanan ng mga inilatag niyang ebidensya, iyong mga larawan isa-subject namin sa authentication and verification,” Matibag said.
Matibag said the NBI would invite the Velascos and the Dutertes as they were mentioned in the affidavit of Gracioso.
“It’s not a subpoena, it should be an invitation especially to the Vice President, sinasabi niya hindi niya kakilala iyong tao at kung gusto niyang magkaso, magbigay kami ng kopya ng affidavit,” Matibag said.
Sal Panelo: Alleged cash deliveries to Dutertes a ‘fabricated story’
Matibag said that the affidavit of Gracioso would be subjected to assessment, similar to the claims of the 18 former aides of former House Appropriations Committee Chairperson Zaldy Co, in light of their supposed dismissal from law enforcement service.
“I-parallel natin ito sa 18 marines na investigation namin, dishonorably discharge yung iba doon, ibig sabihin na hindi na natin pakikinggan at iimbestigahan ang mga bagay na sinabi niya,” Matibag said.
Matibag however said that Gracioso might also be liable for perjury if his claims will not be substantiated.
“So kailangan nating imbestigahan sapagkat kung hindi totoo ang sinasabi niya he can be answerable for perjury, kung totoo naman ang sinasabi niya meron tayong mas malalim na tinitingnan,” Matibag said.
Matibag also clarified that Gracioso passed the lie detector test only on matters limited to his identity and relationship to the individuals he mentioned but not on the details mentioned in his affidavit.
OMBUDSMAN
Meanwhile, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the claims of Gracioso might reach his office in the future but they were merely observing the developments as of the moment.
Remulla noted that in the investigation of the Ombudsman on the claims of the 18 so-called “ex-marines,” the name of Velasco has already surfaced.
“Palaging nababanggit pero ngayon lang nagkaroon ng taong nagsalita tungkol sa kanya at marami naman tayong nalalaman kaya lang pag tsismis lang kasi hindi namin pinapatulan dapat talaga may ebidensya,” Remulla said.
VP Duterte denies getting money from Velasco's self-proclaimed bagman
Remulla said they would only step in, if necessary.
“Dapat masubukan pa siya ng husto sa mga tanong na matindi para malaman natin kung totoo ang kanyang sinasabi, syempre we cannot just swallow everything eh dapat diyan tingnan natin ng maayos kung believable ang kanyang mga sinasabi,” Remulla said.
DILG, PNP
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they would also investigate Gracioso’s allegations.
“Titingnan natin ‘yung veracity ng kanyang sinabi. Kung dinala niya talaga o kung may dala-dala, hindi naman pwedeng agad accept it as katotohan kaagad,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said.
“We will undergo the rigorous procedures of investigation para ma-determine talaga kung totoo ang sinasabi niya,” he added.
Remulla said authorities would examine Gracioso’s background as part of the assessment of his allegations.
“‘Yung mga ganito kasi maraming gustong mag-liyab ng sitwasyon eh. But, we will take all of his statements with all seriousness para malaman natin kung ano ang katotohan,” he stressed.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. earlier confirmed that Gracioso had previously been detailed as a security officer of Velasco.
Nartatez said Gracioso’s assignment was covered by official orders, although he still has to verify whether the former police officer was part of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG).
“I have to check but he had been detailed as security or staff of former speaker Velasco. All of the security operation niya, it is all covered with orders,” Nartatez said.
Gracioso was dismissed from the police service this month following the resolution of an administrative case against him.
Nartatez said the case stemmed from an incident in Calabarzon when Gracioso was assigned to the region.
“Gracioso had been investigated, administrative case and there is a corresponding criminal case filed against him but that was long before. I think it’s a case in year 2022 or 2021,” Nartatez said.
“In terms of admin case, finally na-resolve resulting to his dismissal from the service and before that meron din siyang kaakibat na suspension that was deemed served,” he added.
The Vice President on Saturday said she does not know Gracioso and has not received any money from him.