MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday denied knowing a former policeman and security aide of then speaker Lord Allan Veasco who alleged that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to her.
Former Police Corporal Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed in a sworn affidavit that he delivered suitcases containing from P20 million to P50 million to Duterte on more than 20 occasions in Metro Manila and in Davao, among other areas. He also alleged deliveries of cash to former president Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Gracioso underwent a polygraph examination and that investigators were also validating his claims through other means.
“I do not know Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., nor have I ever received any money from him,” Duterte said in a statement posted on her Facebook page.
She said her lawyers were awaiting an official copy of Gracioso’s affidavit from the NBI before beginning work on cases against him.
“Once we are done dismantling the lies contained in his testimony, it will end up in the trash bin—just like the one from Ramil Madriaga,” Duterte said.
Duterte described Gracioso’s testimony as an attempt to revive what she called a “faltering impeachment case.”
“This is nothing more than another media stunt, an attempt to breathe life into a faltering impeachment case,” Duterte said.
She also accused the administration of seeking to 'bring me down, push for Charter change, prevent the 2028 elections and cling to power," describing the moves as "becoming increasingly diabolical.”
Duterte also called on President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to take a public drug test and answer for the flood control scandal.
“The people want Marcos to take a public drug test. The people want Marcos to answer for the flood control scandal. The people want change,” Duterte said.
“No amount of political maneuvering, propaganda, or manufactured distractions can ultimately silence the Filipino people.”
