DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, October 6, firmly rejected claims made by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. alleging that he handed over billions of pesos in cash to her.
During a press briefing in Davao City, Duterte refuted the assertions detailed in Gracioso’s sworn affidavit and recent media interviews, stating that the claims connect her to events she never took part in or had knowledge of.
“Mariin kong itinatanggi ang mga pahayag ni Rodulfo Mondigo Gracioso, Jr. sa kanyang sinumpaang salaysay at mga panayam sa media na iniuugnay ako sa mga pangyayaring hindi ko ginawa, hindi ko nalalaman, o hindi ko personal na nalalaman,” she said.
The Vice President clarified that she only encountered Gracioso’s name after his claims gained public attention. Upon reviewing past photographs, Duterte noted that Gracioso may have been part of the security staff deployed by the wife of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to monitor him.
However, she emphasized that security measures enforced by the Presidential Security Group since her father assumed office in 2016 made it impossible for Gracioso to approach her directly. She also explicitly refuted his statement that he picked her up at a private hangar in Pasay City and transported her to a hotel.
Addressing Gracioso’s claim that he frequently included high-end chocolates alongside suitcases of kickback funds as a gesture of goodwill, Duterte explained that medical conditions in her family lead her to avoid sweet treats.
“Ang aking ama ay diabetic, ang aking ina ay pre-diabetic. Ako rin ay dalawang beses na nagkaroon ng gestational diabetes, dahil dito, umiiwas ako sa mga matamis na pagkain at bihira ako kumain ng chocolate at ice cream. Kung sakaling kumain man ako nito, hindi Royce ang karaniwang pinipili ko,” she said.
Duterte compared Gracioso’s assertions to the earlier affidavit of Ramil Madriaga, who previously accused her of taking illegal campaign money and cash deliveries.
“Ang Gracioso affidavit ay tulad ng Madriaga affidavit na naglalagay ng akusasyon, ngunit hindi naglalagay ng detalye na puwedeng i-verify o i-confirm,” she added.
In a statement released on Monday, October 5, Duterte confirmed that her legal team had received a copy of the affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), accompanied by identification documents but lacking supporting attachments.
“I confirm that we received a copy of the Gracioso affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), together with identification documents, but no other attachments.”
She pointed out that her team identified 29 false statements within the document regarding her actions and whereabouts.
“Based on our count, Gracioso made 29 statements concerning me that we believe are false.”
Duterte highlighted records showing she was nowhere near the locations specified by Gracioso during certain dates in 2019.
“Among several other pieces of my evidence, Jefry Tupas and I were nowhere near Marinduque during Mahal na Araw in 2019, nor were we in Manila on September 21, 2019,” Duterte said.
Additionally, she referenced remarks from NBI Director Melvin Matibag regarding potential legal consequences for filing misleading claims under oath.
“NBI Director Melvin Matibag noted that a perjury case may be possible if the allegations are proven false,” she said.
“We expect a case to be filed by the NBI against Gracioso once the agency completes its investigation and the evidence is fully evaluated,” she added.
These statements come as the Vice President continues to face proceedings in her ongoing impeachment trial before the Senate tribunal.