NBI's Matibag: Sara Duterte's denial of Gracioso's claims should be under oath

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The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday said Vice President Sara Duterte's denial of allegations made by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. should be formally submitted under oath.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Duterte's statements during a press conference could be submitted to investigators.

“Wala pong pasabi, except kahapon nakita natin na nag-press con po. May binabasa siyang papel, kaya maaaring 'yun po 'yung affidavit niya, kaya baka isusumite po sa atin. So hintayin na lang po natin kung ano po 'yung magiging aksyon niya,” he said in an interview on Unang Balita.

(There is no word except yesterday we saw her hold a press conference; she was reading a paper, so it could be her affidavit, so maybe it will be submitted to us. So let's just wait and see what her actions will be.)

“Pero may mga pagsasalita na siya na tinatangging mga salita doon po sa press conference. 'Yun nga lamang po, siyempre 'yung ganyan po dapat under oath din po ginagawa para magkaroon po ng force of law or effect ng law po sa ating pong pagsisiyasat,” he added.

(But she has already made some statements of denial in the press conference. But of course, that should be done under oath so that it has the force of law or the effect of law in our investigation.)

NBI earlier invited Duterte in connection with the claims of Gracioso that he delivered suitcases containing over P2 billion in cash to the Vice President, her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brother, Representative Paolo Duterte.

Gracioso, who served as former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco’s security aide, said he did it upon the instruction of the latter.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Duterte denied claims made by Gracioso and said that she will submit an affidavit on Thursday.

“Mariin kong tinatagi ang mag pahayag ni… Gracioso Jr. sa kanyang sinumpaang salaysay at mga panayaman sa media na inuugnay ako sa mga pangyayaring hindi ko ginawa,” she said.

LIVE UPDATES: Sara Duterte press conference (October 6, 2026)

She said Gracioso was motivated by money and resentment towards Velasco and his family.

According to Duterte, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his administration are behind the allegations against her.

The Vice President also expressed openness to undergo a lie detector test. —AOL, GMA News