Sara Duterte camp files affidavit on Gracioso's cash delivery claims

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The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte on Thursday submitted her affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) regarding dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.'s allegations that he delivered to her suitcases containing millions of pesos in cash.

"Nag-appear na po kami dito by way of special appearance tapos binigyan lang po namin sila ng kopya nung sinumpaang salaysalay, 'yung sinabi po ng ating bise presidente," lawyer Clifford Chua said in an ambush interview.

(We have already appeared here by way of special appearance, and we just gave them a copy of the sworn affidavit of what our Vice President said.)

Asked why Duterte was not present, Chua said that she is not required to appear before the bureau.

To recall, Gracioso claimed to deliver cash to the vice president, Davao Representative Paolo Duterte, and former president Rodrigo Duterte on the instructions of former speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Duterte read out her affidavit in a press briefing on Tuesday, denying his claims.

Chua said they also submitted the photos presented by the vice president during her press briefing.

The vice president has said Gracioso was motivated by money and resentment towards Velasco and his family.

Velasco's camp on Saturday called out "fabricated attacks" against him, saying these have "no basis." It also called out accusations against Velasco as "inconsistent," tailored as a "one-size fits all" narration.

In an interview on Balitanghali, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the the bureau will review Duterte's affidavit.

"Kumbaga kung paano po natin tini-treat 'yung ibang mga pahayag na ating pong tinitingnan ay isasalang po natin sa gan'ung standards din kasama na po 'yung mga attachment na ebidensya rito, mga litrato at video, kailangan po natin i-subject ito sa authentication and verification po," he said.

(So, basically, just as we treat other statements that we examine, we will subject it to the same standards, including the attached evidence here, the photos and videos, which we need to subject to authentication and verification.) — VDV, GMA News