MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has invited Davao City Rep. Paolo ‘Pulong’ Duterte to shed light over the claims lodged by dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso.
In a media advisory, the bureau said it conveyed its compliments to the lawmaker and requested his presence to provide insights on the circumstances surrounding the inquiry.
Duterte's insights would significantly help the agency ensure a fair, thorough, and impartial process, according to the NBI.
Gracioso had earlier accused the Davao lawmaker, his sister Vice President Sara Duterte, and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, of receiving bags of cash from former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
The invitation, contained in a letter dated October 5 from NBI Director Melvin Matibag, was sent to Duterte along with a copy of Gracioso's sworn affidavit.
The NBI has set the meeting with the lawmaker for October 12 at its headquarters.
The agency said the Davao lawmaker may be accompanied by legal counsel or designated representatives, and was likewise invited to present relevant documents, records, or statements that may help clarify the issues under review.
The vice president has already denied Gracioso's claims, saying he made the allegations only for money and out of resentment toward Velasco and his family.
Her office is set to submit her own affidavit to contradict Gracioso's claim, it was learned.
