Duterte's legal team to file affidavit with NBI over Gracioso allegations

Lawyers for Vice President Sara Duterte plan to lodge her affidavit with the National Bureau of Investigation, addressing accusations made by dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. Atty. Paul Lim stated that the filing, not a personal appearance, will constitute Duterte's response. In the statement read at a press briefing, Duterte denied receiving cash deliveries and portrayed Gracioso as motivated by financial gain and personal animosity toward former speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

She warned that the NBI might file a perjury case against Gracioso if its investigation finds the allegations false. NBI Director Melvin Matibag previously identified two of the seven alleged cash houses as properties of Velasco and his spouse. Velasco's camp dismissed the accusations as fabricated, while the Bureau of Immigration confirmed Velasco is overseas and has no derogatory record preventing his departure.