MANILA — Malacañang has urged former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, to face the National Bureau of Investigation and respond to allegations involving purported cash deliveries raised by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the couple should appear before investigators to answer the allegations against them rather than leave questions unresolved. The NBI has said it would invite the Velascos and other personalities named in Gracioso’s affidavit as part of its investigation.
The Bureau of Immigration confirmed that Velasco left the Philippines on Aug. 30 and had not returned as of the end of September. His wife also traveled abroad, according to the NBI. Authorities said there was no hold-departure order that would have prevented Velasco from leaving the country.
Gracioso, who previously served on Velasco’s security team, has alleged that he delivered large amounts of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and other members of the Duterte family upon Velasco’s instructions. The NBI is still verifying the allegations and authenticating supporting materials submitted by Gracioso.
Velasco’s camp has denied the accusations, describing Gracioso’s account as fabricated and inconsistent with verifiable events. Vice President Duterte has also denied knowing Gracioso or receiving money from him.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag stressed that Gracioso’s earlier polygraph examination covered his identity and relationship with the personalities he named and did not establish the truth of the specific cash-delivery allegations in his affidavit.
The investigation remains ongoing, with the NBI seeking statements from the individuals named in Gracioso’s allegations.
