The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has validated alleged ‘cash houses’ identified by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. that are allegedly owned by his former boss, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, and his wife, Rowena, according to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.
In an interview on Tuesday, Matibag said the bureau established a connection between the Velasco couple and two residences in Valle Verde in Pasig City that Gracioso mentioned in his affidavit detailing his ‘cash delivery’ claims.
‘Nitong nakaraang araw, ang vinalidate natin, yung claim niya doon sa mga cash houses na sinasabi, and we were able to establish-doon sa seven cash houses na sinasabi, we established already two that are owned by the Velasco spouses,’ Matibag told reporters.
(In the past few days, we validated his claim on the cash houses that were mentioned, and we were able to establish-out of the seven cash houses that were said, we already established two that are owned by the Velasco spouses.)
Matibag specifically mentioned a residence on Champaca St., Valle Verde 2, and Sampaguita St., Valle Verde 2.
According to the NBI, the residence on Champaca St. is registered to Eagle Assets and Realty Inc., in which Rowena is allegedly listed as president.
Meanwhile, the bureau said the property on Sampaguita St. ‘is titled to a member of Rowena’s personal staff’ and ‘is also the address Mrs. Velasco declared in Eagle Assets and Realty Inc.’s SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) registration.’
Aside from this, Matibag mentioned that the bureau looked into Gracioso’s claims that ‘a lot of money is being used to invest in a resort in Torrijos, Marindique-Sara Resort and Cabanas.’
‘When we checked, sa SEC ownership, lumalabas na sa mag-asawang Velasco. May mga inassign nang shares without consideration. Iniimbestigahan natin yan,’ Matibag said.
(When we checked, in the SEC ownership, it appears to be from Velasco couple. There were shares assigned without consideration. We are investigating that.)
The Sara Resort and Cabanas is supposedly operated by 888 Wealth Star Corporation and incorporated in March 2025.
The NBI said Velasco’s wife was found to be the corporation’s president and chairperson, holding 60 percent of its shares.
Matibag also said another resort Gracioso mentioned-Amara Resort and Villas-was operated by Amara Equity Ventures Inc., incorporated in 2018, with the Velasco couple serving as its principal incorporators and holding 80 percent of its subscribed shares.
‘Amara is the second name of Rowena. Rowena Amara Enriquez-Velasco siya eh,’ Matibag said.
(Amara is the second name of Rowena. She is Rowena Amara Enriquez-Velasco.)
‘Anong ibig sabihin nito? Doon sa mga claims ni Mr. Gracioso ng bahay at pag-aari ng mga Velasco, tumatama na,’ he said.
(What does this mean? Mr. Gracioso’s claims of the Velasco house and property are now valid.)
The INQUIRER reached out to the Velasco couple’s legal counsel regarding the matter but has yet to respond as of posting time.
‘Cash houses included in the August raids’
Matibag said that the identified residences are included in the three houses raided by the NBI on August 28 after receiving intelligence information of illegal high-powered firearms in some houses in Valle Verde.
But he clarified that it is not the house where the operatives discovered an ammunition box containing various empty cartridge cases identified as caliber 5.56mm and several loaded 9mm magazines.
Matibag noted that the house where NBI agents found the ammunition-along with two police IDs-was on Cattleya St., which was supposedly also owned by the Velascos.
He said Rowena was even present during the implementation of the search warrant issued by the Pasig Regional Trial Court and admitted owning the houses.
‘The possession of bullets, magazines, and shell casings that establish ownership of firearms also and under the law, yung pag-possess noon without the necessary license to possess and to own, magbubunga ng violation ng pag-possess ng firearms and explosives,’ Matibag explained when asked if violations of law had already been established.
(The possession of bullets, magazines, and shell casings that establish ownership of firearms also and under the law, possessing without the necessary license to possess and to own, will result in a violation of possessing firearms and explosives.)
But the NBI director said that no charges have been filed yet regarding the incident because ‘they’re claiming that the IDs recovered really belong to the police who were there.’
Matibag said two police officers, supposedly detailed to Rowena, were found residing in the house and were verified by NBI agents.
‘But there’s a presumption na dahil bahay nila yan, yung ownership niyan dapat kayo may sagot diyan. But if it can be established na talagang ito mga aide namin at sila ang gumamit niyan, then mas madali naman nating maipaliwanag kung dapat kasuhan o hindi,’ said Matibag.
(But there’s a presumption that because it’s their house, the ownership of it, they should have an answer for that. But if it can be established that these are really their aides and they used it, then it will be easier for us to explain whether they should be charged or not.)
Matibag said the bureau will continue its investigation regarding the ownership and assets of the properties Gracioso identified in his ‘cash delivery’ allegations.
Gracioso is claiming to have delivered more than P2 billion to Vice President Sara Duterte, P1 billion to the former President Rodrigo Duterte, and P100 million to Davao City first district Rep. Paolo Duterte in tranches starting in 2018 upon Velasco’s instructions.