Catholic priest Fr. Flavie Villanueva said he referred former police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. to the National Bureau of Investigation after becoming convinced of his ties to ex-Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and the need to probe his cash delivery allegations.
Gracioso has alleged that he delivered suitcases of cash to Vice President Sara Duterte, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte on Velasco’s orders.
Before coming out with his allegations, Gracioso sought the advice of Villanueva, who urged him to undergo reflection first.
Villanueva did his own assessment of Gracioso’s allegations.
When he was convinced that the former police officer was not simply making up a story, that he was closely connected to the Velascos, and that his photos were not just incidental selfies, he referred Gracioso to the National Bureau of Investigation.
“Nung nakita ko at nakumbinsi ko yung sarili ko na magkakilala sila ni Lord Velasco, ay sabi ko sa sarili ko, dito ko po nakita na marahil yung pastoral obligation ko, yung pastoral counseling,” Villanueva said on Bilyonaryo News Channel’s “On Point.”
“I journeyed with him and I will continue to journey with him dahil nakita ko na meron siyang malalim na ugnayan sa mga Velasco. So nung klaro na yan, sabi ko, ibigay na natin sa NBI na siyang mas maggagawa ng mas malalim na investigasyon tungkol sa kanyang nais na ilahad na siya yung nagde-deliver ng pera kay Sara Duterte,” he added.
There were also aspects to Gracioso’s story about which Villanueva had questions.
He said he asked Gracioso about the role of ex-lawmaker Elizaldy Co as a possible source of the funds since Co was not the appropriations panel chair when Velasco was the Speaker.
He said Gracioso told him that even before heading the Committee on Appropriations, Co had close links to politicians.
He also said Gracioso alleged that he was directed several times to prepare the money for delivery.
“Doon ko rin natuklasan na madaming beses siya na nagkamada. Ginamit niya yung term kasi madaming beses siyang pinagkatiwalaan, madaming beses siyang inutusan para maghanda, maghatid ng salapi. For that, sa paghahanda, siya yung nagkakamada, siya yung naga-arrange, siya yung nagpa-pack,” he said.
Duterte has denied Gracioso’s claims and said she does not know him. She also said she plans to file cases against him.
Velasco, through a spokesperson, also denied Gracioso’s allegations.