MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio on Tuesday flatly denied allegations that dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. delivered cash to her and members of her family, claiming his accusations were fueled by a money dispute and resentment against former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
“Ang motibo niya ay sama ng loob sa mga Velasco at pera,” Duterte-Carpio said during a press briefing in Davao City.
Gracioso had alleged that he delivered cash to Duterte-Carpio, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte, purportedly upon instructions from Velasco.
The Vice President disputed the allegations and said information she received from Velasco indicated that Gracioso had a previous disagreement with the former speaker and his family involving money.
Duterte-Carpio said she showed Velasco a screenshot of Gracioso’s affidavit and asked him about the former police officer. Velasco, she said, identified Gracioso as his former security aide.
According to Duterte-Carpio, Velasco told her that Gracioso had previously been given money to campaign for a party-list group in Samar.
She said Velasco also told her that Gracioso later sought financial assistance for hospital expenses and medicine.
Duterte-Carpio said Velasco told her that his wife, Rowena, had offered to take care of Gracioso’s needs, but the former police officer allegedly insisted on receiving cash instead.
The Vice President said she decided to make their exchange public after receiving the information from Velasco, although she acknowledged that she did not first seek his permission to release the screenshot.
“May mga pahayag sa affidavit ni Gracioso at sa mensaheng pinadala sa akin ni Lord na nagpapakitang nagkaroon sila ng hindi pagkakaunawaan kaugnay sa pera,” she said.
Duterte-Carpio maintained that whatever conflict existed between Gracioso and the Velasco family should not involve her or be used to bolster accusations against her.
“Ano man ang naging problema o hindi pagkakaunawan ni Lord at Gracioso, hindi ako dapat idadamay sa kanilang personal na alitan sa pera. Hindi dapat gamitin ang aking pangalan sa paghihiganti sa mga kasinungalingan at pagpapalakas ng walang ebidensya na impeachment complaint at sa paninira sa pulitika,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio also categorically denied Gracioso’s accusations, saying she had no involvement in the incidents described in his sworn statement and media interviews.
“Mariin kong tinatagi ang mag pahayag ni… Gracioso Jr. sa kanyang sinumpaang salaysay at mga panayaman sa media na inuugnay ako sa mga pangyayaring hindi ko ginawa,” she said.
Her camp is set to submit her affidavit on Thursday as the allegations continue to be examined.
Duterte-Carpio further said she believed Gracioso had no personal grievance against her despite his allegations linking her to the supposed cash deliveries.
Velasco’s camp has previously rejected the allegations against the former House speaker, saying they had “no basis.”/PN
