MANILA — Former Davao City information chief Jefry Tupas accused the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) of attempting to coerce him into becoming a witness against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio in a plunder case, alleging that offers of money, accommodation and protective custody were part of a scheme to secure his testimony.
Tupas made the accusation after the NBI recommended filing cyberlibel, obstruction of justice and publication of false news charges against him before the Department of Justice (DOJ), a move he condemned as harassment and intimidation.
“I denounce the NBI’s recommendation to file charges against me before the Department of Justice (DOJ). This is harassment, plain and simple,” he said.
“The NBI can file all the trumped-up charges they want against me, but I will never allow myself to be used as a witness for a case built on lies,” he added.
The controversy stemmed from allegations by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed to have delivered cash to Duterte-Carpio, former president Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City congressman Paolo Duterte upon the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Gracioso also alleged that Tupas received money on behalf of the Vice President.
Tupas categorically denied the allegations, maintaining that investigators were attempting to pressure him into corroborating accusations he insisted were fabricated.
“It is clear to me, and probably to everyone else who can read between the lines, that I am being harassed, intimidated, and pressured to turn against Vice President Sara Duterte and testify against her in a plunder case related to the Gracioso allegations (as shown in the September 28, 2026 subpoena delivered to my house),” he said.
Tupas further alleged that NBI personnel offered him money and accommodation in the exclusive Forbes Park community in Makati City, purportedly in connection with arrangements for his protective custody.
He questioned the bureau’s intentions, claiming that what initially appeared to be an offer of protection was actually an attempt to draw him into the investigation as a witness against Duterte-Carpio.
Tupas also challenged NBI Director Melvin Matibag’s account that he had sought assistance from the bureau because of concerns for his personal safety.
According to Tupas, NBI agents led by Special Assistant for Mindanao Concerns Voltaire Rovira visited his residence in North Cotabato on the morning of September 29.
He said he subsequently spoke with Matibag by telephone and requested a formal invitation concerning the proposed protective custody arrangement, only to receive a subpoena instead.
“Imbes na invitation letter, ang ibinigay ng NBI noong hapon ng September 29, 2026 ay isang subpoena na may petsang September 28, 2026—isang araw bago pa man sila dumating sa aming bahay,” he said.
Tupas argued that the sequence of events raised serious questions about the bureau’s handling of the investigation, particularly after Matibag publicly identified him as a witness.
“Now that he has publicly identified me as a witness, the apprehension over Matibag’s invitation for a meeting in Manila and the offer for a protective custody becomes completely justified,” Tupas said.
“It is now glaringly obvious that these were not genuine gestures for my safety, but rather deceptive maneuvers to trap me and force me into becoming a false witness,” he added.
To dispute Gracioso’s allegations, Tupas said he submitted an affidavit and supporting documents to the NBI, including airline booking records, passport photographs showing immigration entry and exit stamps, and Facebook posts.
He maintained that these records contradicted the dismissed police officer’s account of the alleged cash deliveries.
Duterte-Carpio, Paolo Duterte and Velasco have likewise submitted affidavits denying Gracioso’s accusations.
Despite the NBI’s recommendation to pursue charges, Tupas insisted that he would not cooperate in any attempt to implicate the Vice President through testimony he considered false.
The allegations of coercion, financial inducements and misuse of protective custody arrangements remain claims made by Tupas. The NBI’s recommendation is subject to evaluation by the DOJ, which will determine whether the evidence warrants the filing of charges in court./PN
