By Benjamin Cuaresma
The Philippine National Police has confirmed that dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who has alleged delivering millions of pesos in cash to members of the Duterte family, was once assigned to the security detail of then-House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed Gracioso’s previous assignment to Velasco on Monday, saying the former policeman had served as security or staff of the former House speaker.
The confirmation establishes Gracioso’s official connection to Velasco but does not, by itself, substantiate his allegations involving the Duterte family.
Nartatez also disclosed that Gracioso had long been facing administrative and criminal proceedings, including a case dating to around 2021 or 2022, before his eventual dismissal from the police service.
PNP records show that Gracioso was suspended three times—March 1 to 11, 2024; October 21 to December 18, 2025; and February 1 to July 31, 2026.
He was also detained twice, from November 15 to 21, 2024, and from December 11, 2024 to January 9, 2025.
A 2025 disciplinary order imposed a 59-day suspension for grave threat and also demoted Gracioso from police corporal to patrolman following findings involving two counts of grave misconduct and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Nartatez eventually ordered his dismissal over three counts of less grave misconduct. The penalty included cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits and disqualification from reemployment in government service.
The dismissal order was dated September 15 and carried an effective date of September 11—three days before Gracioso submitted his sworn affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation on September 14.
Gracioso subsequently surfaced with allegations that he had delivered suitcases containing large amounts of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
He claimed the deliveries involved millions of pesos and alleged that more than P2 billion was delivered to Sara Duterte through multiple transactions.
The NBI is investigating the allegations, which remain unverified.
Sara Duterte has categorically denied knowing Gracioso and denied ever receiving money from him. She said her lawyers were awaiting an official copy of his affidavit from the NBI and would pursue appropriate legal action.
Velasco’s camp has also rejected the allegations, saying there was no basis for accusations against the former speaker. His spokesperson, Atty. Rowell Ilagan, questioned Gracioso’s account and pointed to what he described as inconsistencies with verifiable events.
Former chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo likewise dismissed Gracioso’s allegations as fabricated and claimed they were part of an effort to remove and disqualify Sara Duterte ahead of the 2028 elections.
Meanwhile, House prosecution panel spokesperson Representative Zia Adiong said the allegations involving alleged cash deliveries to Sara Duterte should be taken seriously.
For now, authorities have confirmed Gracioso’s former role as part of Velasco’s security detail and his disciplinary history within the PNP. The allegations of cash deliveries, however, remain subject to verification by investigators.
ia/xf
