MANILA— Vice President Sara Z. Duterte denied allegations made by former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., saying she received a copy of his affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and identified 29 statements concerning her that she believes are false.

In a statement, Duterte said the NBI provided her camp with Gracioso’s affidavit and identification documents but no other attachments.

“I confirm that we received a copy of the Gracioso affidavit from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), together with identification documents, but no other attachments.”

“Based on our count, Gracioso made 29 statements concerning me that we believe are false.”

Duterte specifically disputed Gracioso’s claims about her whereabouts in 2019, saying she and Jefry Tupas were not in the locations cited in the affidavit.

“Among several other pieces of my evidence, Jefry Tupas and I were nowhere near Marinduque during Mahal na Araw in 2019, nor were we in Manila on September 21, 2019.”

Gracioso, who claimed to have served as the security chief of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, alleged that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to Duterte on more than 20 occasions.

He claimed the alleged deliveries involved suitcases containing between P20 million and P50 million each.

Gracioso also alleged that cash deliveries to Velasco’s residence in Valle Verde 2 increased after Velasco became House speaker in October 2020.

According to Gracioso’s affidavit, he helped receive and transport cash from politicians, lawyers and Department of Public Works and Highways contractors to Velasco’s residence.

He alleged that Velasco instructed him to bring two suitcases from 142 Sampaguita Street in Valle Verde 2 that supposedly contained money from several personalities, including then-lawmaker Miro Quimbo and lawyer Honey Sipin.

“The total contents of the suitcase were at least P100 million,” Gracioso said.

Gracioso further claimed that he picked up money from Quimbo at a Starbucks near Petron Katipunan in Quezon City on Velasco’s instructions, with then-DPWH Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral allegedly present.

“On one occasion, I also saw Usec. Maria Catalina Cabral at the Starbucks at Petron Katipunan when Boss Allan ordered me to pick up money from Sir Miro, which I then brought to 142 Sampaguita Street, Valle Verde 2,” he said.

The former police officer also named former lawmaker Zaldy Co, Sipin and DPWH contractors Curlee and Sarah Discaya in connection with the alleged cash deliveries.

The allegations are being examined as part of an NBI investigation. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the individuals named in the affidavit would be invited for questioning, while supporting evidence would undergo authentication.

The NBI also said Gracioso underwent a polygraph examination but clarified that the test did not establish the truth of his specific allegations.

The Philippine National Police confirmed that Gracioso had served as part of Velasco’s security or staff. He was dismissed from the police service in 2022 following a criminal complaint.

Velasco’s camp has denied the allegations and described them as baseless.

Duterte said Matibag had noted that Gracioso could face a perjury case if his allegations were proven false.

“NBI Director Melvin Matibag noted that a perjury case may be possible if the allegations are proven false. We expect a case to be filed by the NBI against Gracioso once the agency completes its investigation and the evidence is fully evaluated.”