Malacañang urged former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco to return to the Philippines and face an ongoing National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inquiry regarding allegations that he facilitated multi-million peso cash transfers to members of the Duterte family.
The call from the Palace follows statements from dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed in an affidavit that suitcases of cash were delivered to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Addressing Velasco’s current travel overseas, Palace Press Officer and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary Claire Castro emphasized that cooperating with investigators is the best course of action to protect his integrity.
”Kung anong naramdaman niya, kung may natakot ba siya o magbabakasyon lang siya, hindi natin ito masasabi. Pero ang mas maganda rito kung ang pangalan niya ay nababanggit na sa mga milyon-milyong pera na laman ng malemaletang dinadala di umano sa Bise Presidente, kay Pangulong Duterte at kay Congressman Pulong Duterte, mas magandang magbigay siya ng pagpapaliwanag,” Castro said.
(”Whatever he felt, whether he was scared or just taking a vacation, we cannot say. But what is better here, if his name is being mentioned in connection with millions of pesos inside suitcases allegedly delivered to the Vice President, former President Duterte, and Congressman Pulong Duterte, it would be better for him to offer an explanation.”)
Castro added that remaining abroad creates unnecessary doubt when facing law enforcement scrutiny.
”Para kung mayroon dapat linisin na integridad, especially iyong kanyang pangalan at pangalan ng kanyang asawa, ay mas magandang humarap na lang sila sa pag-iimbestiga at hindi kailangang lumayo at mangibang bansa at hindi magpakita,” she stated.
(”So if there is integrity to be cleared, especially his name and his wife’s name, it would be better for them to just face the investigation and not leave the country, go abroad, and hide.”)
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed that Velasco is currently out of the country, clarifying that no hold departure order was in place preventing his travel. Meanwhile, NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that federal agents conducted raids on properties allegedly owned by Velasco in Pasig City as part of the broader probe.
Velasco, a political ally of the Vice President, has denied the cash transfer allegations and dismissed the claims made by Gracioso as fabricated.