Catholic priest Fr. Flavie Villanueva said ex-cop Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. wanted to speak out immediately after asking for his help in March to expose his role, as an aide of ex-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, in the alleged delivery of cash-filled suitcases to the Dutertes.
But Villanueva said he asked Gracioso to do some reflection first so that his actions would not be driven solely by his anger or desire for revenge after he did not receive help for his ailing father, who has since passed away.
“Actually, from the very first meeting, nais na niyang isiwalat. Pero pinaliwanag ko rin sa kanya na, Ping, maganda yung gagawin mo. Pero kung ito ay bunsod ng iyong galit, paghihiganti, ay baka hindi tayo lubusang mabasbasan ng langit. Sana at mas mainam kung galing sa mas purified motivation, na hindi lang ikaw ang nagnanais at mayroong pag mas malaki at mas malawak na mission kang makita,” Villanueva said on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point.”
He said he asked Gracioso to think about whether he was doing this out of anger or whether he sees a higher purpose, whether there would be people who would be more affected, and whether he could realize that he was also an accessory to a crime.
He said Gracioso understood and was able to discover a higher purpose.
“So, paulit-ulit, paunti-unti at sa pangalawang pagkakataon ng aming panagpo, ay medyo lumilinaw at nakita niya rin naman po. Kaya ang sinabi ko sa huli kong interview na nang isinalamin natin sa kaniya ito, nung kanyang nakita rin yung halaga hindi dapat bunsod sa galit, pangalawa ay may mas malaki pang dahilan kaya ako gagawin ito, pangalawa kasama nito ay may reparation din akong gagawin dahil naging kasangkapan ako eh. So, hopefully itong gagawin ko pag saliwat o pag truth telling ko ay maging daan din sa pag-repair and a path towards redemption,” he said.
There is a greater good at stake, he added.
Gracioso has submitted an affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation about his alleged role in delivering some P2 billion in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, P1 billion to former President Rodrigo Duterte, and P100 million Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Duterte said she does not know Gracioso and denied his allegations, and added that she plans to file cases against him over his claims.
Velasco, through a spokesperson, also denied Gracioso’s allegations.