The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) says it will invite Vice President Sara Duterte, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and other individuals for comment regarding allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. NBI Director Melvin Matibag says the NBI will “invite, not subpoena” those implicated in Gracioso’s claims.
Gracioso has appeared before the NBI for questioning after filing an affidavit alleging he delivered large sums of cash in suitcases to people linked to the Duterte administration, including Vice President Sara Duterte and former President Rodrigo Duterte, as well as Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte. GMA News Online and Inquirer.net both report the NBI’s planned invitation of top officials named in the allegations, with Inquirer.net also specifically mentioning Velasco. Both accounts attribute the next procedural step—invitation for comment—to Matibag.
The outlets differ mainly in which other names are highlighted. While GMA News Online focuses on inviting Vice President Sara Duterte and Paolo Duterte, Inquirer.net expands the list to include Velasco alongside Sara and others.
