Paolo Duterte questions need to testify on Gracioso’s cash delivery claims
MANILA, Philippines — Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte questioned the need for him to appear before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) over allegations that he and his family received suitcases of cash from former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, October 11, Duterte questioned why the bureau needed his insights if it was already convinced of the credibility of dismissed police officer Rodulfo Mondigo Gracioso Jr., who accused the Duterte family of receiving billions of pesos.
“99.9% legit si Gracioso base sa lie detector test ng NBI di ba?” Duterte said.
(Gracioso is 99.9% credible based on the NBI’s lie detector test, right?)
He asked whether investigators still lacked evidence or confidence in their own assessment of Gracioso’s claims.
The NBI invited Duterte to appear at its headquarters on Monday, October 12, to “shed light” on the allegations. In a media advisory, the bureau said his insights would help ensure a fair, thorough and impartial investigation.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag sent the invitation in a letter dated October 5, along with a copy of Gracioso’s sworn affidavit. Duterte may bring legal counsel or representatives and present documents or other evidence relevant to the inquiry.
Gracioso alleged that he delivered more than P2 billion to Vice President Sara Duterte, P1 billion to former president Rodrigo Duterte and P100 million to Paolo Duterte in tranches beginning in 2018, upon Velasco’s instructions.
Duterte said the NBI should be able to build its case on its own evidence rather than seek his opinion.
“Kung 99.9% legit ang affidavit niya, dapat kayang tumayo ng kaso ninyo sa sarili nitong ebidensiya, hindi sa opinyon ko,” he said.
(If his affidavit is 99.9% credible, your case should be able to stand on its own evidence, not on my opinion.)
“Hindi naman ako ang nagsabi ng 99.9%. Kayo ang nagsabi niyan. So, put your money where your mouth is. Kung hindi, huwag ninyo akong gawing pampalakas ng loob,” he added.
(I wasn’t the one who said 99.9%. You were. So, put your money where your mouth is. Otherwise, don’t use me to boost your confidence.)
Gracioso underwent a polygraph test at the NBI on September 30 as part of the bureau’s efforts to verify his affidavit dated September 14.
Sara Duterte has previously denied the allegations, saying Gracioso’s sworn statement and media interviews linked her to events she did not commit, know about or personally experience. Her office said it would submit an affidavit disputing his claims.
Velasco’s camp has also rejected the allegations, describing them as fabricated and baseless. The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Velasco was out of the country and had no derogatory record that would prevent his departure.
The NBI has said it is validating Gracioso’s claims through records and other investigative measures, including documents related to properties and businesses linked to the Velascos.
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