NBI confirms 4 Velasco properties in Gracioso statement

Metro Manila, Philippines – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has verified that four properties in the sworn statement of ex-patrolman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. are owned by former Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and wife, Rowena Amara, assets that were mentioned in corrupt activities linked to Vice President Sara Duterte. 

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Oct. 9, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said an open investigation on Gracioso’s allegations is ongoing, including his supposed relationship to the Velasco couple. 

The dismissed corporal and former security aide of Velasco said he personally visited several of his former boss’s properties to deliver gifts and suitcases of cash to Duterte. 

“Basically, nitong nakaraang araw, ang vinalidate natin ay yung claim doon sa mga ‘cash houses’ na sinasabi,” Matibag said. 

[Translation: Basically, in past days, we validated the claim on alleged cash houses.]

He said of the seven cash houses, two are at the upscale Valle Verde in Pasig City and confirmed as owned by or corporately linked to the Velasco couple.

The agency also looked into two resorts in Marinduque, Velasco’s home province and former congressional district. 

Matibag quoted Gracioso as saying  “a lot of money” was invested in the resorts at Poctoy White Beach. 

“When we checked sa SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission), ‘yung ownership lumalabas na sa spouses Velasco, ” Matibag said.

“May mga inassign na na share without consideration, so ini-investigate natin yan,” he added, referring to a Sara Resort and Cabanas. 

[When we checked with the SEC, the ownership turned out to be the Velasco spouses. There were also shared assigned without consideration, so we are also investigating that.] 

The NBI also flagged Amara Resort and Villas, which it said is operated by Amara Equity Ventures, Inc., of which the Velasco couple holds 80 percent of subscribed shares.

“We will continue to investigate based on the records,” Matibag said. 

The Bureau of Immigration said on Monday, Oct. 5, it has no records as yet of the return of the Velascos who left the country on Aug. 30 and Sept. 24, respectively.