National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag encouraged Vice President Sara Duterte to appear at the bureau and present what she described as ‘false accusations’ made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. against her.
This came after Duterte released a statement Monday evening saying they received Gracioso’s affidavit and that the former cop made 29 statements against her that she and her camp believe are ‘false.’
When sought for his response, Matibag on Tuesday said in an interview that ‘it is easy to make claims,’ but these remarks must be established with ‘evidence.’
‘And that’s what we are doing right now,’ the NBI chief emphasized.
‘So, if she will participate and come here, as we invited her and present to us what the 29 alleged violations are, then, we’ll be more than willing to investigate it, and compare it with other evidence,’ he said.
The NBI director also responded to Duterte’s statement that she expects the bureau to file perjury charges against Gracioso ‘once the agency completes its investigation and the evidence is fully evaluated.’
‘Thankfully, she’s saying that we can file a lawsuit,’ Matibag said and then, made a suggestion: ‘But if they can identify that there is a real violation, they can lodge a direct filing, [but] we will be happy to help them.’
He noted that even though Duterte will not appear at the NBI, the bureau will still ‘find ways’ to validate if Gracioso’s affidavit equates to ‘perjury.’
Duterte was first invited on Monday at the bureau, but her camp earlier wrote to the NBI, requesting to reschedule the date on Thursday, October 8.
‘We’re giving them leeway. Actually, it’s an invitation. It’s not a subpoena,’ Matibag clarified.
‘So hopefully, if they really have claims, either they come here or present the document via letter, attach the evidence, then NBI will do our job to investigate it,’ he added.
Gracioso said he delivered more than P2 billion to the vice president, P1 billion to former President Rodrigo Duterte, and P100 million to Davao City First District Rep. Paolo Duterte.
These deliveries were reporterdly done in tranches starting in 2018, upon the instructions of Gracioso’s former boss, former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
Velasco-who is reportedly still out of the country-also earlier released a statement denying Gracioso’s narratives.
Three legal counsels of the former speaker and his wife, Rowena, appeared before the bureau on Monday to comply with their invitation letter and formally receive Gracioso’s affidavit.