Palace seeks probe on Gracioso’s claims

SINGAPORE – Malacañang has called for a deeper probe into the claims of dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that he delivered more than P2 billion in cash to Vice President Sara Duterte and members of her family on the instructions of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said evidence would show who is credible among those making conflicting claims.

She said Gracioso has shown that he was with the Vice President in some “personal” events.

“The investigation on this should be deeper, not for anyone but for the people because this involves public funds. Even if they claim that this is just politicking and that is their sole defense, those who are investigating this should not be stopped,” Castro said at a press briefing here.?

Duterte has denied Gracioso’s claims, saying the former policeman’s statements may have been motivated by money.

Velasco’s camp refuted the accusation, dismissing it as a “one-size-fits-all” narration “designed and fabricated to attack as many targets as it can while being inconsistent with verifiable events.”

Meanwhile, Duterte’s camp lashed back at Castro over the latter’s statement that the Vice President knows alleged bagmen Ramil Madriaga and Gracioso.

“No one prevents anybody from playing dumb. But it’s embarrassing,” defense spokesman Michael Poa said.   - Bella Cariaso