Malacañang on Wednesday urged ex-Speaker and former Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco to speak up over over claims that a supposed ex-security officer of his made cash deliveries to Vice President Sara Duterte, ex-President Sara Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace press officer Claire Castro made the remarks amid Velasco’s implication in the controversy.
In a press briefing, she noted the National Bureau of Investigation’s recent raid on houses allegedly owned by Velasco in Pasig City, which yielded gun magazines, shell casings, and IDs of security personnel.
“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.
She went on: “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.”
Earlier this week, the Bureau of Immigration also confirmed that Velasco is out of the country as there is no hold departure order against him.
The agency declined to reveal further details about Velasco’s travel details.
The former lawmaker – an ally of the Vice President – denied the accusations of cash deliveries and called dismissed cop Rodulfo Gracioso’s claims as fabricated.