MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio has categorically denied receiving more than P2 billion in alleged cash deliveries from former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. and said her lawyers are preparing legal action against him as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) probes his claims.
“I do not know Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., nor have I ever received any money from him,” Duterte-Carpio said in a statement sent to Panay News.
Gracioso, who claimed to have served as a security officer for former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, alleged that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to Duterte-Carpio on Velasco’s instructions.
He also alleged delivering suitcases containing cash to her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and her brother, Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
The allegations are being investigated by the NBI and have not been established as fact.
Duterte-Carpio said her lawyers are waiting for an official copy of Gracioso’s affidavit before pursuing cases against him.
“My lawyers are awaiting an official copy of the Gracioso affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) so they can begin working on the cases to be filed against him,” Duterte said.
The Vice President dismissed the allegations as “another media stunt” that she claimed was intended to revive the impeachment case against her.
“The desperation of the administration to bring me down, push for Charter Change, prevent the 2028 elections, and cling to power is becoming increasingly diabolical,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio said her camp would challenge Gracioso’s testimony once it obtains and reviews his affidavit.
She said they would “dismantle the lies” in the testimony and that, once their response was completed, “it will end up in the trash bin—just like the one from Ramil Madriaga.”
Madriaga has also faced perjury complaints filed by Duterte-Carpio over allegations he made against her.
The Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office continues to review Duterte-Carpio’s second perjury complaint against Madriaga after her earlier complaint was dismissed.
Gracioso’s allegations remain under NBI investigation./PN
