MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang urged former speaker Lord Allan Velasco to face an investigation into allegations linking him to multi-million-peso cash deliveries to high-ranking officials after the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that he has left the country.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said facing the investigation was necessary to clear Velasco’s name amid serious accusations by his former security aide, dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
“It would be better for him to provide an explanation—especially since his name has been linked to the millions allegedly contained in the large bags being delivered to the vice president, President Duterte, and Congressman Pulong Duterte,” said Castro in Filipino.
“If there is a need to clear their names and reputations, it is far better to simply face the investigation rather than going abroad and staying out of sight,” she added.
