Sara Duterte ‘jokes’ about filing libel raps vs GMA News

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday joked about filing libel charges against GMA News for allegedly failing to verify some information presented in its story about the claims of now-dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered money stuffed in suitcases to her upon instructions of then House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

“Pwede ko ba i-libel ang GMA News nito? Hindi man lang sila nag-check ba,” Duterte said in jest, eliciting some laughter among some journalists who attended a press conference she called to refute the allegations contained in a Sept. 14 affidavit of Gracioso.

“I-libel ko itong GMA. Magkano, 200 million (pesos)? Para pumera naman ako dito,” she added.

Article continues after this advertisement

“Imagine, nagturo ng bahay namin, hindi man lang chineck kung totoong bahay namin ’yun,” Duterte said.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: Gracioso sought priest’s help over alleged Duterte cash deliveries

The Vice President was apparently referring to Gracioso’s showing several photos, among which is supposedly outside their house in Davao.

But she hastened to add: “Ay, hindi.. Ano kasi, pag ni-libel ko sila, baka magsara ’yung kumpanya n’yo.”

GMA News first broke the story about the alleged cash deliveries to the Vice President and several others in the Duterte circle, with the money supposedly from kickbacks from government projects.

Article continues after this advertisement

During the press conference, Duterte also refuted claims by Gracioso that she has something to do with the Pusong Pinoy party-list, alongside Velasco’s wife Rowena.

She cited the 2022 election result in which the party-list got only 120 votes in the city. “Patunay ito na ang Pusong Pinoy ay hindi ko party-list, taliwas sa sinasabi ni Gracioso. At wala akong party-list.”

Article continues after this advertisement

Duterte also refuted that she went to San Isidro, Northern Samar upon Gracioso’s invitation. Gracioso showed photos of Duterte’s visit there on May 14, 2022, just five days after the general elections.

“Hindi pa malinaw kung authentic o gawa-gawa lamang ang litratong ito na pinakita ni Gracioso sa media. Ganunpaman, hindi totoo na inimbita ako ni Gracioso sa bayan niya sa Samar,” said Duterte, adding that upon a supporter’s invite, she went there on the eve of the town fiesta. /cb