MANILA, Philippines — Legal counsel for Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Saturday, October 3, that they have received an invitation from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to attend a conference regarding allegations made by a dismissed police officer.
Atty. Paul Lawrence Lim, Duterte’s legal representative, stated that the invitation involves claims raised by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a former security aide to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Gracioso alleged that billions of pesos in cash were delivered to the Vice President and her family—a claim Duterte has firmly denied.
While the NBI confirmed Thursday that invitations were dispatched to both Duterte and Velasco, her legal team noted they cannot currently attend or provide a formal response because the NBI did not attach a copy of Gracioso’s sworn statement to the notice.
”We have requested the NBI for a faithful copy thereof and all its supporting documents, if any,” Lim said in a statement sent to the media.
”Once received, the Vice President will take appropriate action thereon in due course,” he added.
Lim informed the bureau that Duterte’s camp will not be able to attend the scheduled conference set for Monday, October 5.
”Our client cannot provide any meaningful reply to your request at this time. In this regard, we respectfully request your good office for a clear and faithful copy of Mr. Gracioso’s Sinumpaang Salaysay, all attachments thereto, and supporting evidence submitted by him, if any,” Lim said in his letter to the NBI.
”This will enable our client to intelligently prepare a reply thereto and/or take other appropriate action thereon,” he added.
Duterte’s counsel maintained that sufficient time is required to evaluate the contents of Gracioso’s affidavit and supporting evidence before making an appearance before the NBI.