Velasco, wife leave Phl amid cash claims
Gracioso Jr., who was previously detailed to Velasco, told investigators that the couple had left the country.
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Gracioso Jr., who was previously detailed to Velasco, told investigators that the couple had left the country.
Former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, have left the Philippines amid allegations that Velasco instructed a former policeman to deliver cash to members of the Duterte family, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Tuesday.
NBI director Melvin Matibag said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed the couple’s departures.
“We received initial information yesterday that former Speaker Velasco left on 30 August and said he would return on 14 September, but he has not returned,” Matibag said in a radio interview.
Matibag said Rowena left on 24 September for Hong Kong and was supposed to return on 27 September.
“Meanwhile, Rowena Velasco left on 24 September and said she would return on the 27th. She went to Hong Kong, but we are monitoring her and have already asked immigration about this,” he said.
The BI said its records showed that there was “no existing hold departure order or derogatory alert that would have prevented” Velasco from leaving the country.
It declined to provide further immigration details, citing data privacy concerns.
Matibag said the NBI sought verification from the BI after former policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who was previously detailed to Velasco, told investigators that the couple had left the country.
Gracioso has alleged that he delivered billions of pesos in cash to members of the Duterte family on Velasco’s instructions.
Matibag said the NBI will send invitations to Vice President Sara Duterte, Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte and the Velasco couple to respond to Gracioso’s allegations.
“It is their choice whether they want to come or not. I hope they come so they can provide clarification,” Matibag said.
He also said Gracioso had undergone a polygraph test on his background, with the results showing 99 percent truthfulness.
Matibag said Gracioso agreed to undergo another polygraph examination based on his affidavit and statements. He is scheduled to appear at the NBI on 30 September or 1 October for the test.
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