FACT CHECK: Gracioso didn’t say he was paid to make allegations vs Dutertes

Claim: Dismissed policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. admitted that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag paid him to say he delivered cash to the Duterte family.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A reaction reel posted on October 27 by the Facebook page “vicshy mix vlog” shows a man pointing at and commenting on an inset quote card. 

The card featured photos of Matibag and Gracioso with the text: “Binayaran kasi ako ni NBI Melvin Matibag para mag witness ako nga nagdeliver ako mga pera sa pamilya Duterte, si NBI Melvin Matibag pa nagpatawag sa media; GMA, pasensya sa nagawa ko mali sa pamilya Duterte.” 

(NBI’s Melvin Matibag paid me to testify that I delivered money to the Duterte family. Matibag was also the one who called the GMA media; sorry for the wrong I did to the Duterte family.)

The reel’s caption, in Bisaya, reads “Gilaglag nasad (Thrown under the bus again).” 

As of writing, the video has over 430,000 views, 18,000 reactions, 1,200 comments, and 5,200 shares.

The facts: No credible report shows Gracioso supposedly admitting that he was paid by Matibag or apologizing to the Duterte family. The quote card cites no interview, affidavit, or news report coming from Gracioso himself or any media outlet. 

Gracioso’s public position has been the opposite. In an eight-page affidavit, the former police corporal claimed that he had delivered suitcases filled with millions of pesos to Vice President Sara Duterte, as well as cash delivered to her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and her brother, Davao City 1st District Representative Paolo Duterte. He says he did so on the instruction of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco, who has admitted to knowing Gracioso but denied the money delivery allegations.

Inquirer reported that Gracioso went to the NBI in June after confiding in Father Flaviano Villanueva about his allegations. 

Matibag has said the NBI is not treating the former cop’s claims as established facts and that they are still verifying the allegations. He also said Gracioso could face a perjury complaint if his statements are proven false.

Allegations still under probe: In a press conference on October 6, the Vice President denied Gracioso’s claims, saying that he was motivated by money and personal grievances. The Duterte camp later submitted an affidavit to the NBI addressing Gracioso’s cash delivery allegations. 

On October 23, Paolo Duterte filed libel and cyber libel complaints against Matibag, Gracioso, and GMA Network journalists over a September 25 episode of 24 Oras that aired their interviews. GMA Network was the first to publish a report about Gracioso’s affidavit.

On October 29, a second man, identified only as “Chris,” filed an affidavit claiming he dropped off suitcases of cash to Duterte. The Vice President’s camp dismissed the allegation as another “tanim (planted)” witness. Matibag said the NBI would summon him and verify his account. 

The cash delivery claims are the latest allegations leveled against the Vice President, who is currently facing an impeachment trial at the Senate. – Cyril Bocar/Rappler.com

Efren Cyril Bocar is a journalist from Llorente, Eastern Samar who graduated with a degree in English Language Studies at the Visayas State University. Cyril is also a graduate of the Aries Rufo Journalism Fellowship of Rappler for 2024. 

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