MANILA – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday said it is tracking the flow of money allegedly delivered by former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s bodyguard to members of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s family.
In a press briefing, NBI Director Melvin Matibag presented photos and videos of what he said were properties linked to the Duterte family.
He said the NBI is examining whether these properties are connected to possible money laundering and if the funds were used for land banking or the purchase and accumulation of land as an investment.
The NBI is processing the affidavit of Rodulfo Gracioso, a dismissed police officer and former bodyguard of Velasco.
Matibag said the investigation also aims to determine whether the properties’ value matches the amounts declared in Vice President Sara Duterte’s Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
One of the properties, declared to be worth approximately PHP890,000, is estimated to be worth as much as PHP60 million.
“We are investigating this because we are following the pattern na na-establish natin sa Gracioso affidavit. Ibig-sabihin, may pera. Saan pumunta ‘yung pera? (that we established from Gracioso’s affidavit. That means there was money. Where did the money go?),” Matibag said.
“Dito lumalabas ngayon na ‘yung mga properties, ‘yung mga pera, inilalagay sa mga land banking and we are seriously looking into it. May allegations si Gracioso na may perang dinadala sa mga Duterte (It is now coming to light that assets and funds are being channeled into land banking, and we are seriously looking into it. Gracioso has alleged that money is being funneled to the Dutertes),” he added.
The NBI chief also mentioned the connection between Vice President Sara Duterte and businessman Jaime T. Cruz, including interests or ownership declared in the SALN that do not appear in the corporate records of the companies involved.
He said the NBI is also probing whether the funds came from foreign entities, given its national security implications.
