Sara Duterte denies allegations by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. claiming she received billions in cash, calling the accusations baseless and politically motivated.
Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly refuted claims made by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a former policeman and security aide to ex-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who alleged that he delivered large sums of cash to her. Duterte stated she does not know Gracioso and has never received money from him. Following these claims, Duterte’s legal team is preparing to file cases against Gracioso once they obtain an official copy of his affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
Gracioso asserted that he delivered suitcases containing over 2 billion Philippine pesos to Sara Duterte, along with cash to former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte based on instructions from Velasco. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed that the Department of Justice has received and is currently reviewing Gracioso’s affidavit.
In response, Vice President Duterte condemned the allegations as a media stunt designed to revive a declining impeachment case against her. She accused the Marcos administration of desperate political maneuvers aimed at undermining her position and delaying electoral processes, emphasizing people’s demands for transparency and accountability from the government.
As investigations proceed, Duterte remains firm in rejecting the accusations and asserting they will be proven false, comparable to previous similar claims against her political family.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/1003763/sara-duterte-says-she-does-not-know-gracioso-has-not-received-money-from-him/story/