Sara Duterte expects NBI to file charges vs Gracioso

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said she expects the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to file charges against dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. for making false accusations against her.

This came after Duterte confirmed that she has already received a copy of Gracioso’s affidavit from the NBI, together with identification documents, with no other attachments.

READ: Velascos no-show at NBI; lawyer confirms ex-Speaker knows Gracioso

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According to Duterte, Gracioso—who was also former aide of then House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco—has made 29 statements against her that she and her camp believe are “false.”

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“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 Sept. 21, 2019,” said Duterte.

The Vice President was referring to Gracioso’s claims that he allegedly handed over two large suitcases containing P50 million cash each to Tupas for Duterte around April 2019 in Marinduque; and that he delivered two suitcases containing P50 million each to the Vice President in Manila on Sept. 21, 2019.

With Duterte claiming that the allegations are false, she cited NBI Director Melvin Matibag earlier pronouncements that a perjury case may be possible if Gracioso’s allegations are proven false.

“We expect a case to be filed by the NBI against Gracioso once the agency completes its investigation and the evidence is fully evaluated,” said Duterte.

Duterte’s statement came the same day the NBI held an investigative conference regarding Gracioso’s allegations, which she was also invited to. /cb