MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Monday, September 28, that it will thoroughly probe assertions made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed to have transported suitcases filled with cash to relatives of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag cautioned that Gracioso, a former security aide for ex-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, could face perjury charges should his assertions prove false.
According to Gracioso’s sworn affidavit, he handed over cash to former President Duterte, Vice President Sara Duterte (who was then serving as Davao City mayor), and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
Gracioso stated he carried out these drops under directives from Velasco.
Matibag emphasized that the bureau will not automatically treat Gracioso’s assertions as facts and will subject all provided evidence to rigorous verification.
”(Y)ou know if evidence reaches us, we tend not to believe it at once. That is why we are the National Bureau of Investigation, so we will investigate if there is truth to the said evidence; the pictures will be subject to authentication and verification,” Matibag stated.
As part of the fact-finding process, the NBI chief indicated that investigators plan to interview key figures named in the affidavit, including Vice President Duterte and Velasco.
”So, we need to investigate because if the claim is not true, he can be answerable for perjury,” Matibag noted.
”Kung totoo naman ang sinasabi niya, meron tayong mas malalim na tinitingnan,” he added.
Matibag further disclosed that Gracioso was subjected to a polygraph examination, which he passed. However, the NBI chief clarified that the lie detector test was strictly confined to confirming Gracioso’s personal identity and his asserted ties to the individuals cited in his affidavit.
The polygraph test did not assess the truthfulness of the specific claims or detailed allegations outlined in Gracioso’s sworn statement, Matibag stressed.