VP camp calls out new ‘tanim witness’

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte arrives before the start of the impeachment trial at the Senate of the Philippines in Pasay, Metro Manila on July 7, 2026.

AFP / Noel Celis

MANILA, Philippines — The camp of Vice President Sara Duterte yesterday dismissed the claim of an alleged former driver of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco, that he delivered suitcases of cash to her.

Duterte’s spokesperson Paolo Panelo reacted after the former driver of Velasco, identified with the alias “Chris,” arrived at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday to submit his affidavit against Duterte.

“Another day, another tanim (planted) witness. They can keep manufacturing allegations, but they cannot fabricate the truth,” Panelo said in a statement. “As before, VP Sara will happily dismantle each allegation with evidence at the proper time.”

The spokesperson also asked the media not merely to report, but to independently test and verify these claims.

“That way, they can see for themselves how the Fourth Estate is being weaponized for the relentless, but ultimately ineffective, black propaganda against the Vice President,” Panelo added.

In his affidavit, Chris said he allegedly delivered suitcases of money twice to Duterte in Davao from 2021 to 2022 upon Velasco’s instruction.

Prior to this, dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. said he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to Duterte and members of her family on the instructions of Velasco. The Vice President and other people named in the claims have denied the allegations.

Melvin Matibag, NBI director, said yesterday they will summon Chris to verify his account and supporting evidence.

He said Chris submitted an affidavit and photographs linking him to trips to Davao City in 2021 and 2022. His account could corroborate Gracioso’s allegations.

“He is one of the drivers mentioned as having accompanied Gracioso,” Matibag said in an interview over True FM.

The NBI chief said investigators would examine the witness’s photographs, social media posts and other possible evidence before making recommendations. He added the bureau would summon Chris for further questioning and ask whether he would agree to undergo a polygraph examination.

Matibag said the witness reportedly received at least P150,000 per delivery, but clarified that he had yet to personally review the affidavit.

Chris, who appeared before the NBI on Thursday, told reporters that he joined two trips to Davao, transporting an estimated 15 suitcases each time. He said their head driver told him the luggage contained a “small gift” for Duterte.

However, Chris admitted that he did not know what the suitcases contained and never saw the Vice President. He said he and the other drivers were left outside the destination.

Matibag said the new witness’s account appeared consistent with some details disclosed by Gracioso, but stressed the NBI would carefully validate the information before reaching conclusions.

The bureau also plans to invite Velasco and other people mentioned in the allegations to clarify their involvement. Matibag said immigration records indicated that Velasco was last reported to be in Japan, with investigators checking information that he may be in the Niseko area. — Mark Ernest Villeza