Sara Duterte says ex-aide was offered cash to testify on Gracioso claims

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday claimed that former Davao City chief information officer Jefry Tupas was offered money to testify about allegations that she received cash deliveries.

Tupas, a former aide of Duterte, has been drawn into the controversy after dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. linked him to the alleged cash deliveries in his affidavit, prompting a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Kumpirmado ko na merong negosasyon ng pera para sa mga posibleng tumestigo sa imbentong kwento ng maleta ng pera na umano’y ibinigay sa akin doon sa Gracioso affidavit,” she said in a press briefing.

(I confirm that there were negotiations involving money for possible witnesses to the fabricated story about the suitcase of money that was allegedly given to me, as stated in Gracioso’s affidavit.)

Gracioso alleged that he delivered cash to Duterte, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte, and former President Rodrigo Duterte on the supposed instructions of then-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Gracioso also claimed that Tupas received cash on behalf of the vice president.

Duterte said Tupas told her that authorities had promised him money and a residence in Forbes Park in exchange for his cooperation.

“Sinabi mismo sa akin ni Tupas na noong pinagtangkaan siyang dalhin ng sapilitan ng mga tauhan ng NBI sa North Cotabato noong September 29, 2026 ay pinangakuan ang kanyang pamilya ng pera, tumira sa Forbes Park, at iba pa,” she said.

(Tupas himself told me that when NBI personnel allegedly attempted to forcibly take him in North Cotabato on September 29, 2026, his family was promised money, a place to live in Forbes Park, and other things.)

Duterte added that Tupas was initially asked to speak “informally” with the NBI about the offers.

“Pinuntahan nila si Jefry sa North Cotabato tapos sinabi nila, meron kang threat mula sa mga Duterte kaya kukunin ka namin para i-secure ka. Sinabi ni Jefry, gusto ko ng kasulatan. Sabi nila, magbigay kami ng kasulatan. Ang pinadala nila ay subpoena ad testificandum,” she said.

(They went to see Jefry in North Cotabato and told him, “You have a threat from the Dutertes, so we will take you to secure you.” Jefry said, “I want it in writing.” They said they would provide something in writing. What they sent was a subpoena ad testificandum.)

Duterte also said Gracioso may have linked Tupas to the alleged cash deliveries because he thought the former Davao City information officer would be an easy target.

“Sa aking pananaw, maaaring pinangalanan ni Gracioso si Tupas dahil baka iniisip niya nangangailangan ng pera at desperado si Tupas matapos itong mawalan ng trabaho,” Duterte said.

(In my view, Gracioso may have named Tupas because he might have thought that Tupas needed money and was desperate after losing his job.)

She made the statement while denying, point by point, Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered bags of cash to her when Velasco was speaker of the House of Representatives.

Gracioso said he was a former security aide to Velasco, the former Marinduque lawmaker.

“At dahil sa kanyang homophobia, naisip niyang madaling targetin ang isang bakla na may pinagdadaanan na pagsubok sa buhay,” Duterte added.

(And because of his homophobia, he thought that a gay person going through hardships in life would be an easy target.)

Tupas, for his part, has submitted an affidavit to the NBI denying Gracioso’s allegations and saying he did not receive cash on Duterte’s behalf.

Velasco’s camp has also said the allegations against the former House speaker had “no basis.”— MCG, GMA News

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