Ex-Davao City information exec denies Gracioso’s suitcase claim

MANILA, Philippines — Former Davao City information officer Jeffrey Tupas dismissed the allegations linking him to Vice President Sara Duterte’s suitcases of cash that Former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claimed he delivered in his sworn affidavit.

In his sworn statement dated Sept. 30, Tupas said that he did not know Gracioso, nor did he receive suitcases filled with cash for Sara.

Gracioso, former aide of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, alleged that he personally delivered suitcases to the vice president, former President Rodrgo Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte between 2018 and 2020.

Article continues after this advertisement

In Gracioso’s affidavit, he mentioned Jepoy, who Tupas said was his nickname.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: DOJ scrutinizes Gracioso Jr. affidavit: We don’t want weak cases

“Kahit na mali ang pagkakasabi ng apelyido ko, na Tupas at hindi Tupaz, sa sinumpaang salaysay ni PCPL. GRACIOSO, dahil, sa pagkakaalam ko ako lang ang may palayaw na “Jepoy” o “Jepoi” sa mga taong malapit kay Sara Duterte nung mga panahon na iyon,” Tupas stated in his sworn statement.

(“Even though my surname was stated incorrectly—as ‘Tupaz’ instead of ‘Tupas’—in the sworn statement of PCPL Gracioso, I believe I was the only person among Sara Duterte’s close associates at the time who went by the nickname ‘Jepoy’ or ‘Jepoi’,”)

READ: Gracioso sought priest’s help over alleged Duterte cash deliveries

Article continues after this advertisement

According to Tupas, there were inconsistencies in the dates and locations that Gracioso mentioned as he was abroad on most of the occasions that involved him.

During Gracioso’s alleged delivery to a certain Jepoy when they were in Marinduque in April 2019, Tupas said he was in Korea for a vacation.

Article continues after this advertisement

The two suitcases were said to be carrying P50 million each from Velasco for Sara.

“Napakalaking kasinungalingan ito dahil una, sa buong buhay ko, ay hindi pa ako nakakapunta ng Marinduque,” Tupas stressed.

(“This is a huge lie because, first of all, I have never been to Marinduque in my entire life.”)

Meanwhile, in 2019, Tupas said he was in Japan when he allegedly received two suitcases at the Diamond Hotel as claimed by Gracioso.

Tupas also stressed that in 2020, during the pandemic, he did not leave Davao in compliance with the lockdown, dismissing Gracioso’s allegations that he gave three suitcases to Sara and Jepoy in Busay, Cebu.

“Mahirap magbigay ng detalyadong sagot sa ibang mga insidente na sinasabi ni PCPL. GRACIOSO na diumano, naghatid raw siya ng mga maleta ng pera, regalo, o sasakyan kay Sara Z. Duterte na kung saan ay sa akin raw ipinabigay, dahil walang petsa o iba detalye kung kelan ito nangyari,” Tupas said.

(“It is difficult to provide a detailed response regarding the other incidents alleged by PCPL Gracioso—such as his supposed delivery of suitcases of money, gifts, or vehicles to Sara Z. Duterte, allegedly coursed through me—because there are no dates or other details indicating when these events took place,”)

He, moreover, said he had never been to any of Velasco’s homes. He added that he has no knowledge of a certain “Kuya Tony” or “Bryan” that Gracioso mentioned in his sworn statement.

He then explained that they may have been photographed together when he, Velasco, and Sara were all present in events.

“Dahil dito, maari pa ngang may manga selfie o ibang larawan na magkasama kami, pero hindi ito nangangahulugang magkakilala kami,” he argued.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

(“Consequently, there might even be selfies or other photos of us together, but this does not mean we know each other,”) /mr