Velasco couple skips NBI appearance; lawyers seek copy of Gracioso affidavit

FORMER House speaker Lord Allan Velasco and his wife Rowena did not appear in person at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Pasay City on Monday to respond to invitations concerning the cash‑delivery allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr.

Instead, three lawyers representing the couple arrived at 9:45 a.m. in their place. According to counsel Atty. Rowell Ilagan, the legal team came to formally request a copy of Gracioso’s sworn affidavit and acknowledged receipt of the invitation letters, but declined to provide further details on the record at this time.

Ilagan dismissed the allegations as unsubstantiated and emphasized that information can easily be fabricated and spread on social media.

He confirmed that Velasco and Gracioso knew each other but stopped short of confirming whether Gracioso had served as the former Speaker’s aide. When pressed on the couple’s whereabouts, Ilagan declined to specify which country they are in, but strongly rejected any suggestion that they had fled the country. “It would be wrong to think that they ran away. As private citizens, we can freely travel. That is one of our constitutional rights as individuals,” he stated. The lawyer added that his clients will address the claims “at the proper forum and at the proper time.”

Immigration records show Velasco departed for Nagoya, Japan on August 30 and was due to return on September 14, but there is still no record of his re‑entry.

His wife Rowena traveled to Hong Kong on September 24 and was scheduled to come back on September 27. No new appearance date has been set by the NBI. Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte were also invited to appear on Monday; the Vice President’s camp has requested a rescheduling, while Paolo Duterte had not arrived as of press time.

Gracioso claims he delivered more than ₱2 billion to Vice President Duterte, ₱1 billion to former President Rodrigo Duterte, and ₱100 million to Paolo Duterte in separate transactions dating back to 2018, allegedly on Velasco’s instructions. He underwent a second polygraph test last Wednesday, which the NBI said showed “no deception indicated.” Vice President Duterte has firmly denied knowing Gracioso or receiving any money from him.