Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte has denied receiving billions of pesos from a former House speaker’s security aide supposedly on instructions of his former boss, saying she does not know the dismissed police officer.
A former aide of ex-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, Rodulfo “Rudy” Gracioso Jr. supposedly submitted a sworn statement to the National Bureau of Investigation saying that he delivered suitcases of cash to the vice president, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Gracioso said he delivered more than ₱2 billion in cash to Duterte on Velasco’s instructions.
“I do not know Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., nor have I ever received any money from him,” Duterte said in a statement on Saturday.
Duterte said her lawyers are awaiting an official copy of Gracioso’s affidavit from the NBI before pursuing cases against the dismissed police officer.
She said Gracioso’s allegations were false and said her legal team will challenge his testimony once they obtain the affidavit.
“This is nothing more than another media stunt, an attempt to breathe life into a faltering impeachment case,” Duterte said.
She further accused the administration of trying to bring her down, pushing for charter change, preventing the 2028 elections, and remaining in power.
