Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said the name of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has long been surfacing in investigations involving alleged cash and money deliveries, but stressed that authorities need evidence before acting on the claims.
Remulla made the statement Monday, September 28, during the ceremonial signing of a tripartite agreement among the Department of Justice (DOJ), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on inter-agency coordination against agricultural economic sabotage.
Remulla was asked whether the Office of the Ombudsman would investigate allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who has claimed that he worked as a security aide of Velasco and delivered large amounts of money involving members of the Duterte family.
“Maaaring dumating ’yan sa amin. Tingin ko darating ’yan sa opisina ko. Pero sa ngayon, pinapanood po muna namin ang mga sumasambulat na nakakagulat,” Remulla said.
He said the Ombudsman would determine in due time whether it has grounds to conduct its own investigation.
Remulla also confirmed that Velasco’s name had previously surfaced in an investigation involving former security personnel and alleged cash deliveries.
Asked about an earlier investigation involving 18 former bodyguards of Zaldy Co and alleged deliveries during Velasco’s time as House speaker, Remulla confirmed that investigators had traced one of the alleged money deliveries.
He said investigators had seen a photograph showing an aide of a congressman receiving money.
“Hindi ’yun, ’yung nakita namin na picture doon, ’yung isang katulong ng isang congressman, ’yung tumanggap ng pera. Nakita namin ’yun. Member pa lang, small committee ’yun,” Remulla said.
He declined to identify the person involved, saying the matter was still being monitored.
“Hindi na natin pag-usapan. Basta’t ’yan, sinusubaybayan namin ngayon,” he said.
Remulla said investigators were still building the broader theory surrounding alleged irregularities in the national budget and were focused on obtaining evidence that could support potential cases.
On whether Velasco had already emerged in the investigation, Remulla said the former speaker’s name had been mentioned for some time.
“Oh yes, malagi na nababanggit pero ngayon lang nagkaroon ng taong nagsasalita tungkol sa kanya,” Remulla said.
He added that authorities may have information about Velasco but would not act on mere rumors.
“Marami naman tayong nalalaman kaya lang ’pag wala kasi, ’pag chismis lang kasi hindi namin pinapatulan. Dapat talaga may ebidensya,” he said.
Remulla also declined to immediately assess Gracioso’s allegations, saying the dismissed police officer’s claims and evidence still needed to undergo thorough verification.
“Hindi ko pa pwedeng mag-judge eh. Dapat masubukan pa siya nang husto sa mga tanong na matindi para malaman natin kung totoo ’yung kanyang sinasabi,” he said.
Remulla said authorities could not simply accept all of Gracioso’s claims without scrutiny.
“Syempre we cannot simply swallow everything eh. Dapat diyan tingnan natin nang maayos kung talagang believable lahat ng sinasabi niya,” he said.#