MANILA — Davao City 1st District’s Cong. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte is seeking P20 million in damages as he takes legal action against National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, a dismissed police officer, and several GMA Network executives and journalists over allegations that he received suitcases of cash.
Duterte filed libel and cyberlibel complaints following a television report involving dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed to have delivered cash to members of the Duterte family on the instructions of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
The lawmaker is demanding P10 million in moral damages and another P10 million in exemplary damages, according to his lawyer, Atty. Peter Paul Danao.
Danao said the complaints stemmed from a prerecorded video aired on GMA News’ “24 Oras” on September 25, which allegedly depicted Gracioso delivering a suitcase containing cash.
“Tungkol ito doon sa pinalabas nilang pre-recorded video noong September 25 sa GMA News 24 Oras na pinapalabas doon na, allegedly, nagbigay daw ng maletang cash itong si Gracioso,” Danao said in an ambush interview.
The lawyer maintained that Duterte had no personal relationship with Gracioso and categorically denied that the congressman had received money from the dismissed police officer.
“Tinatanggi naman ni Congressman Paolo na kilala niya itong si Gracioso at wala siyang tinatanggap na maleta na cash sa kanya,” Danao added.
The complaints escalate the controversy surrounding Gracioso’s allegations, which implicated not only the Davao City congressman but also Vice President Sara Duterte and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Gracioso claimed that he delivered money to the three Duterte family members upon Velasco’s instructions.
All those implicated have denied the accusations.
Paolo Duterte earlier rejected Gracioso’s claims, insisting that he neither knew the former police officer nor received any money from him.
“I do not personally know him. I did not receive any money or maleta ng pera from him, whether in a bar in Davao or elsewhere,” the lawmaker said.
“Mr. Gracioso’s allegations are pure fiction. It is a fairy-tale lie,” he added.
Vice President Duterte had also denied the allegations and submitted an affidavit to the NBI disputing Gracioso’s account.
Velasco’s camp likewise rejected the accusations against the former House speaker, describing them as having “no basis.”
Meanwhile, GMA Network said it had yet to receive a copy of the complaint and would issue its response after examining the allegations.
“We will review the matter and comment accordingly upon receipt,” the network said.
The filing places the disputed cash delivery allegations at the center of a legal battle involving a prominent political family, the country’s principal investigative agency and a major broadcast network.
The allegations against the Duterte family remain disputed, and the filing of the complaints does not establish liability on the part of those named./PN
