Allegations made by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. against Vice President Sara Duterte may still be introduced in the ongoing Senate impeachment trial if they pass verification and are proven credible, according to Atty. Benjamin Tolosa Jr.
Tolosa, a private prosecution panel member and spokesperson, described Gracioso’s claims that he delivered cash-filled suitcases to members of the Duterte family as serious. However, the prosecution decided against presenting him as a witness because they lacked sufficient time to validate his statements.
“So itong mga allegations niya, these are very serious and should not be brushed aside as mere politicking,” Tolosa said.
Vice President Duterte has denied the accusations. In October, her legal counsel submitted an affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation refuting Gracioso’s sworn statements.
Tolosa stressed that all evidence currently brought forward by the House prosecution underwent a rigorous screening process.
“But kami, the reason why we did not adopt him as one of our witnesses is that there’s no sufficient time to properly vet his allegations,” Tolosa explained, adding, “So siyempre lahat naman ang prinesent namin na evidence, it went through a rigorous vetting process.”
The prosecution panel recently rested its presentation of evidence for Article II, which focuses on Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth. The defense team is set to begin presenting its witnesses when the Senate impeachment court reconvenes on November 9. The House panel previously dropped three articles of impeachment to streamline the proceedings, maintaining that the current financial evidence is solid enough to support the charge.
While prosecutors are confident in their existing case, Tolosa noted that Gracioso’s allegations might still find a way into the trial—potentially during cross-examination or rebuttal—provided they meet admissibility rules and do not unnecessarily delay the proceedings.
“At we can’t afford na tapusin muna yung proseso na yun and then at the expense of an expeditious trial na madidelay siya but of course, if necessary, baka maybe on cross, we don’t know kung pwedeng magamit yan or rebuttal, but we don’t know,” he said.
Tolosa concluded that the prosecution remains open to utilizing the claims if vetting proves successful.
“And kung mukhang talagang maging credible yung mga allegations, then we’ll see kung pwede pa rin na ipasok dito sa impeachment,” Tolosa said.