MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday refuted claims made by a former security aide alleging he delivered billions of pesos in cash to her, dismissing the statements as a politically motivated move to bolster the ongoing impeachment trial against her.
Former security chief Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. alleged that he transported over ₱2 billion in cash to Duterte across more than 20 separate occasions, with individual deliveries ranging between ₱20 million and ₱50 million packed in suitcases. Duterte denied any connection to Gracioso or the alleged cash transfers.
“I do not know Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., nor have I ever received any money from him,” Duterte said in a statement.
Duterte added that her legal team is preparing to initiate court proceedings once they secure formal documentation of the claims.
“My lawyers are awaiting an official copy of the Gracioso affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) so they can begin working on the cases to be filed against him,” she said.
“Once we are done dismantling the lies contained in his testimony, it will end up in the trash bin—just like the one from Ramil Madriaga,” Duterte added.
The Vice President asserted that the accusations were orchestrated to support the proceedings in the Senate impeachment court, where prosecution panel members are currently submitting financial records and documents regarding her alleged unexplained wealth under Article II.
Gracioso’s claims remain unverified and are distinct from the formal articles of impeachment.
“This is nothing more than another media stunt, an attempt to breathe life into a faltering impeachment case,” she said.
Duterte further accused the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of attempting to weaken her standing through political maneuvers, though she did not provide supporting evidence for the claim.
“The desperation of the administration to bring me down, push for Charter Change, prevent the 2028 elections, and cling to power is becoming increasingly diabolical,” she said.
“The people want Marcos to take a public drug test. The people want Marcos to answer for the flood control scandal. The people want change,” Duterte stated, adding that “no amount of political maneuvering, propaganda, or manufactured distractions can ultimately silence the Filipino people.”