NBI eyes raps vs former VP Sara aide
The National Bureau of Investigation is set to file criminal charges against a former aide to Vice President Sara Duterte in connection with an inquiry into alleged cash deliveries involving political figures, NBI director Melvin Matibag announced Monday.
Matibag said the bureau released an investigative report recommending the prosecution of Jeffrey Tupas, who previously served as information officer during Duterte’s tenure as mayor of Davao City.
“We are endorsing it to the Department of Justice (DoJ) for proper disposition,” Matibag said.
The NBI report recommended charging Tupas with obstruction of justice and publication of false news under the Revised Penal Code.
The development stems from an investigation into allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a former security detail for former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco.
To recall, Gracioso alleged that he delivered cash sums on Velasco’s instructions to several individuals, including members of the Duterte family.
Gracioso claimed that during a P20-million delivery made in Davao City in 2018, Tupas received the money on behalf of then-Mayor Duterte.
The NBI previously issued a subpoena to Tupas to address the allegations, but the former official failed to appear in person, submitting a sworn affidavit denying Gracioso’s claims instead.
In a related development on Monday, Matibag formally requested the inhibition of the Davao City prosecutor handling a cyberlibel complaint filed against him by Davao City First District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte.
Matibag said his counsel will file a motion seeking the inhibition of Davao City Prosecutor Jhopee Salvador Avanceña and the temporary suspension of proceedings before the Office of the City Prosecutor.
“We will also write to the secretary of justice to transfer the venue of the case filed by Congressman Pulong Duterte,” Matibag said.
The NBI chief noted that Avanceña is a first cousin of Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña, the longtime partner of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
“It creates a cause for concern that warrants a transfer because of that deep family relationship,” Matibag said in Tagalog.
Representative Duterte filed the cyber libel complaint before the Davao City prosecutor’s office naming Matibag, Gracioso, and several media executives and journalists as respondents following public broadcasts detailing Gracioso’s cash delivery allegations.