CASH deliveries to the residence of Lord Allan Velasco in Valle Verde 2 allegedly became more frequent after he became speaker in October 2020, with a former police officer claiming that two suitcases brought to the house contained at least P100 million.
In a sworn affidavit submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed that he was involved in receiving and transporting cash deliveries to Velasco’s residence, which he said came from several politicians, lawyers and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) contractors.
Amid these allegations, Velasco has left the country, the Bureau of Immigration confirmed. The former speaker has denied Gracioso’s allegation through a spokesman.
In his sworn statement, Gracioso said Velasco eventually ordered two large suitcases of cash to be brought from 142 Sampaguita St. in Valle Verde 2.
He claimed the money had been collected by several personalities, including then-lawmaker Miro Quimbo and lawyer Honey Sipin.
“The suitcases contained at least P100 million in total,” Gracioso said.
Gracioso also alleged that he opened one of the packages at the Valle Verde residence to count the money before turning it over to two people whom he identified as Velasco’s personal assistants.
He said the alleged deliveries to Velasco’s residence increased after the latter became speaker.
“When Boss Allan became speaker in October 2020, the deliveries of money to the house of Boss Allan and Ma’am Wen in Valle Verde 2 became more frequent and increased in volume. These came from various personalities such as Rep. Zaldy Co, Miro Quimbo, lawyer Honey Sipin, (Curlee) Discaya and Sarah Discaya, and other DPWH contractors,” Gracioso said.
Quimbo is the representative of Marikina’s second district.
Gracioso claimed that he personally picked up money from Quimbo at a Starbucks branch near Petron Katipunan in Quezon City on Velasco’s instructions.
He said he saw then-DPWH undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral with Quimbo during the alleged pickup.
“On one occasion, I also saw Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral with Miro Quimbo at Starbucks Petron Katipunan when Boss Allan instructed me to pick up money from Miro, which I then brought to No. 142 Sampaguita St., Valle Verde 2,” Gracioso said.
He alleged that he heard Quimbo identify the Discayas as among the sources of the money being delivered.
“I also heard directly from Miro Quimbo when we were at Starbucks Katipunan, near Miriam College, that the money came from Curlee Discaya and Sarah Discaya and other DPWH contractors,” he said.
Curlee and Sarah Discaya are among the contractors who have figured prominently in allegations surrounding questionable flood control projects and the alleged flow of funds connected to them.
Gracioso also identified former lawmaker Zaldy Co, Sipin and other DPWH contractors as among those allegedly involved in the delivery of money to Velasco’s residence.
He said he once saw engineer Henry Alcantara entering Co’s Valle Verde 6 residence while Gracioso and others were allegedly picking up money from Co.
The allegations are part of a broader investigation by the NBI into Gracioso’s claims of cash deliveries involving several political personalities.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the personalities named in Gracioso’s affidavit would be invited as part of the investigation. The bureau has emphasized that the allegations still have to be verified and that supporting photographs, videos and other evidence would undergo authentication.
The NBI said Gracioso underwent a lie detector test but clarified that the examination did not establish the truth of the specific allegations in his affidavit.
The Philippine National Police has confirmed that Gracioso had been detailed as security or staff of Velasco. The PNP also said he was dismissed from the police service in 2022 following a criminal complaint.
Velasco’s camp has denied the allegations, saying his record in government was untainted by corruption and describing the accusations as baseless.
Quimbo’s alleged involvement comes amid scrutiny of congressional budget proceedings involving his family.
His wife, former Marikina 2nd District representative Stella Quimbo, served as a senior vice chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and was a member of the bicameral conference committee during deliberations on the 2025 national budget.
Miro Quimbo also participated in the so-called small committee, where allegations of insertions in the 2025 national budget subsequently emerged.
The affidavit, however, does not by itself establish that the alleged money handled by Quimbo came from the Discayas or that the alleged cash transactions were connected to budget insertions.
The allegations against Quimbo, Velasco and the other personalities named by Gracioso remain subject to investigation and independent verification.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed Tuesday that Velasco has left the country, saying no immigration order on record would have prevented him from leaving.
The BI said its records showed no existing hold departure order or derogatory alert against Velasco at the time of his departure.
The bureau declined to provide additional information about Velasco’s travel, citing data privacy restrictions.
