PNP confirms Sara accuser was detailed as Velasco aide

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed yesterday that dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. had been detailed as a security officer or staff member of former speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

“Yes, he had been detailed as security or staff of former speaker Velasco,” the PNP chief told reporters at Camp Crame, although he could not immediately provide the exact period.

He said Gracioso’s security assignments were covered by official orders, but declined to immediately confirm whether he was assigned to the Police Security and Protection Group.

Gracioso has claimed he served as Velasco’s head of security from 2018, when the latter was still congressman of Marinduque, until his speakership from 2020 to 2022. He later alleged that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family on Velasco’s instructions.

The allegations are being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation.

Duterte has denied knowing Gracioso or receiving money from him, while Velasco’s camp has described the allegations as fabricated.

Nartatez also confirmed that Gracioso had previously faced an administrative case and a corresponding criminal case arising from an incident in Calabarzon during his police service. The PNP chief said the administrative case, which dated back to around 2021 or 2022, was eventually resolved with Gracioso’s dismissal from the service. He had also served an earlier suspension.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities would first verify Gracioso’s allegations before treating them as established facts.

“We will take all of his statements with all seriousness to determine the truth,” Remulla said, adding that Gracioso would have to undergo the appropriate investigative procedures.

He said Gracioso’s possible admission to the Department of Justice’s Witness Protection Program would depend on the DOJ’s assessment of his credibility.

Gracioso’s dismissal order, dated Sept. 15, took effect on Sept. 11 and cited three counts of grave misconduct. He told reporters he was surprised by his dismissal and questioned the proceedings against him. The NBI has said it is examining Gracioso’s sworn affidavit and other evidence related to his allegations.

Gracioso appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday to clarify his sworn statements accusing the Vice President of receiving suitcases containing cash.

Accompanied by Catholic priest and human rights activist Fr. Flaviano Villanueva, Gracioso went to the NBI headquarters in Pasay and said he had turned over photographs, videos and other evidence that he claimed would support his allegations.

“I believe that he has his story straight and I pray that he remains true to this cause that he started,” Villanueva, who first met Gracioso in March, told “Storycon” on One News.

“This is not the first time that a truth-teller has landed on our doorstep,” he said.

Villanueva said he was able to vet some of the information shared by Gracioso, adding that he was able to establish his relationship with Velasco and Duterte.

“He showed some pictures and the first thing that I was able to establish is that they have a (professional) relationship,” he said, referring to Gracioso’s role as Velasco’s former security aide.

What appeared to be the trigger, Villanueva said, was Gracioso’s failure to secure financial support – allegedly P150,000 or at least a guarantee letter to settle medical bills – for his ailing father, who died in 2024.

Gracioso showed reporters several photographs that he said showed him with Duterte and Velasco. He said he met Duterte after becoming part of Velasco’s security detail in 2017.

“I met Ma’am Sara when I became a security officer of sir Allan Velasco,” Gracioso said.

Asked how he could substantiate the alleged cash deliveries, Gracioso said he had already submitted evidence to the NBI.

“There are pictures and videos,” Gracioso said.

Asked whether these showed the alleged money deliveries or the cash itself, he replied: “Yes.” — Ghio Ong, Helen Flores, Janvic Mateo

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