MANILA— The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, own two of seven properties identified as alleged “cash houses” by dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday that investigators established the couple’s ownership through land titles and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records.

“Basically, nitong mga nakaraang araw ang vinalidate natin ‘yung claim niya doon sa cash houses na sinasabi and we’re able to establish, dun sa seven cash houses na sinasabi, we’ve already established two that are owned by Velasco spouses,” Matibag said.

The two properties are located in Valle Verde 2 in Pasig City, one on Champaca Street and the other on Sampaguita Street.

“We were able to establish that among the seven so-called cash houses, we have already established two owned by the Velasco spouses,” Matibag said.

“Ayun ‘yung claim mismo ni Mr. Gracioso na siya nakapasok doon at nakita,” he added.

Gracioso had alleged in his affidavit that Velasco served as the primary source and coordinator of multimillion-peso cash deliveries to Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte.

He claimed the money came from 25% “all-in” kickbacks on government projects nationwide and was initially stored at the Velascos’ residence at No. 142 Sampaguita St. in Valle Verde 2. Gracioso said the volume of cash eventually prompted Velasco to acquire at least six more houses for storage.

Matibag said the NBI’s findings on the two Pasig properties have so far supported Gracioso’s claims regarding the ownership of the houses.

“Dun sa mga claims ni Mr. Gracioso ng bahay at pag-aari ng mga Velasco, tumatama na. Especially lalo na doon sa bahay because ‘yung bahay it was named under Eagle Assets and Realty na ang presidente nito si Ms. Rowena Velasco,” Matibag said.

The NBI had earlier raided houses allegedly owned by Velasco and his wife in August after receiving information that the properties contained high-powered firearms. Matibag said the bureau initially did not know that the houses supposedly belonged to the couple. Rowena was present when the search warrant was served.

NBI probes two Marinduque resorts

The NBI is also investigating two resorts in Poctoy White Beach in Torrijos, Marinduque, which Gracioso claimed were among Velasco’s investments.

Matibag identified the properties as Sara Resort and Cabanas and Amara Resort and Villas, saying SEC records linked both to the Velasco spouses.

“Napakalaking resort niyan. When we checked sa SEC ‘yung ownership, lumalabas na sa spouses Velasco. May mga inassign na na-share without consideration. So ini-investigate natin ‘yan,” Matibag said.

The NBI said Sara Resort and Cabanas is operated by 888 Wealth Star Corp., where Rowena Velasco serves as president and chairman and holds 60% of the shares. The company reported P20 million in capital, which the agency said was fully paid in cash upon incorporation.

Amara Resort and Villas is operated by Amara Equity Ventures Inc., where Velasco and his wife were principal incorporators holding 80% of subscribed shares.

The NBI said the couple transferred their original shareholdings to third parties in 2023, although Rowena remained a stockholder while serving as vice president.

Investigators are examining the relationship between the two resorts after finding that the same individuals serve as officers in both companies and that their incorporators share the same address. Individuals who handled corporate filings for one resort also appeared in the records of the other.

NBI continues validation

Matibag said the bureau would continue reviewing records from the SEC, Government Service Insurance System, Bureau of Internal Revenue and Anti-Money Laundering Council.

“Kung paano nagkaroon ng property, paano nag-acquire, sino pa ‘yung ibang owners nito, interesting na owners, ma-identify natin. Tapos saan nanggaling yung pondo… at yung iba pang alegasyon ni Mr. Gracioso na ating i-va-validate,” he said.

Both Velasco and Duterte have denied the allegations against them.