Ex-House Speaker, wife skip NBI probe

Former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife, Rowena, did not appear at National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters on Monday after being invited to address allegations connecting them to illicit cash deliveries to members of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s family.

Lawyer Rowell Ilagan, representing the couple, appeared before bureau investigators 5 October to formally accept a copy of a sworn affidavit submitted by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.

“We came here to respect and participate in the fact-finding investigation by the NBI,” Ilagan disclosed.

Bureau officials issued the invitation despite knowing the couple had previously traveled abroad.

Travel records show Lord Allan Velasco departed the Philippines on 30 August, while his wife left on 24 September.

“As private citizens, they can freely travel, and that is one of our constitutional rights as individuals,” Ilagan said, stressing that neither client currently holds public office.

In his sworn statement to investigators, Gracioso claimed he carried out cash deliveries to Duterte family members under instructions from the former lawmaker.

Ilagan acknowledged that the couple knew Gracioso, who was previously assigned to the former speaker’s security detail, but declined to elaborate on the extent of their professional relationship.

“We will answer all the allegations at the proper forum and at the proper time,” Ilagan said.