During a press conference at the Office of the Vice President–Southern Mindanao in Davao City, Duterte said she would address Gracioso’s allegations but declined to answer questions related to the impeachment proceedings.
She also said she had yet to watch the recent press briefing of former senator Antonio Trillanes IV and directed questions on the matter to her lawyer, Atty. Paulo Panelo.
Duterte said her affidavit responds to several allegations in Gracioso’s sworn statement, including claims involving her alleged trips, security personnel, luxury gifts, campaign activities, vehicles, cash deliveries and meetings with individuals linked to the allegations.
She maintained that she did not know Gracioso personally and suggested that he may have been among the individuals who previously served as security personnel for Lord Alan Velasco.
Duterte also denied Gracioso’s claim that he personally picked her up at a private hangar in Pasay, transported her in a white Ford Savannah van and brought her to the Diamond Hotel.
She said her security from 2016 to 2022 was handled exclusively by the Presidential Security Group (PSG), and that her flights and transportation were covered by established security protocols.
The vice president likewise denied receiving a Hermes bag or a Patek Philippe watch, saying her office follows a no-gifts policy.
She also rejected allegations involving Royce chocolates, saying she rarely eats sweets and does not consider Royce her preferred chocolate.
HNP CARAVAN
Duterte also disputed Gracioso’s account of her participation in the 2019 Hugpong ng Pagbabago (HNP) campaign caravan.
She denied traveling to Marinduque during Holy Week in 2019 and presented photographs, schedules and other documents which she said showed that she was in Mindanao during the period.
According to Duterte, she was in Davao City on April 14 for her mother’s birthday, followed by HNP campaign activities in Mati, Tagum, Digos, Koronadal and Tacurong. ViewCensus Data
She said she spent April 18 to 20 at Island Buena Vista in Davao del Norte before attending an Easter Egg Hunt in Davao City on April 21.
She further cited campaign activities in Cotabato, Kidapawan, Malaybalay, Valencia, Puerto Princesa, Bongao and Jolo from April 22 to 25.
Duterte also denied receiving vehicles or money from Lord and Rowena Velasco for the HNP caravan.
DENIES CASH AND VEHICLE ALLEGATIONS
The vice president rejected allegations that she received money, luxury vehicles or boxes and suitcases allegedly containing cash.
She specifically denied claims involving two Super Grandia vans and alleged cash deliveries, including an alleged ₱200-million delivery at the basement of the Diamond Hotel.
She said the allegations were too general and lacked details that could be independently verified.
Duterte also disputed claims involving a motorcycle riding course allegedly funded by Ramil Madriaga.
She said she had already completed a motorcycle riding course under the PNP Highway Patrol Group in the 1990s.
DEFENDS OWNERSHIP OF YAMAHA MOTORCYCLE
Duterte also addressed Gracioso’s claim concerning a motorcycle allegedly purchased for her by Madriaga.
She said the motorcycle shown in media reports was her Yamaha XSR 900, which she purchased in December 2017—more than a year before the 2019 HNP caravan.
Duterte said she obtained the motorcycle on December 29, 2017, and fully paid for it by February 2, 2018.
She presented a purchase certification and photographs of herself using the same motorcycle during the HNP caravan in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. BookBeach Resorts
DISPUTES 2019 MANILA BAPTISM CLAIM
Duterte also denied Gracioso’s claim that she attended the baptism of Lord and Rowena Velasco’s child in Manila in September 2019.
She said she was in Davao City on September 21, 2019, where she attended a government services caravan in Barangay San Isidro and later a birthday celebration.
She said she traveled by motorcycle to Bansalan, Davao del Sur, the following day.
Duterte also cited social media posts, photographs and an affidavit as evidence supporting her account.
DENIES BEING IN CEBU DURING PANDEMIC
The vice president rejected Gracioso’s allegation that she was in Busay, Cebu, in the summer of 2020.
She said she remained in Davao City during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic and issued local guidelines restricting movement in and out of the city.
Duterte said she regularly provided updates to Dabawenyos through the Davao City Disaster Radio and issued several executive orders concerning quarantine measures and flights. ViewCensus Data
DENIES 2021 CASH DELIVERY
Duterte also denied Gracioso’s allegation that two Grandia vans carrying cash and other items were delivered to her residence on March 1, 2021.
She said her youngest child’s birthday was celebrated at home on March 2, 2021, during the pandemic, with only family members and three non-relatives present.
She also questioned the authenticity of a photograph presented by Gracioso and denied that the location shown was their house.
QUEZON CITY CIRCLE, SUBIC SAFARI CLAIMS
Duterte further denied that she regularly went to Quezon City Circle to buy plants between 2016 and 2022.
She said her family did not have a Metro Manila residence during that period and that she only went to Quezon City Circle to buy plants once, in October 2023, after her family had rented a house in Metro Manila.
She also challenged Gracioso’s claim that she visited Subic Safari with the Velasco family, saying records and photographs could be checked to establish whether she was there.
SAYS GRACIOSO MAY HAVE PERSONAL MOTIVE
Duterte said she believes Gracioso’s allegations may have been motivated by his personal dispute with the Velascos and financial considerations.
She said any disagreement between Gracioso and Lord Velasco should not involve her.
Duterte also accused Gracioso of targeting former Davao City information officer Jefry Tupas because of what she described as homophobia and discrimination.
She denied that Tupas was her personal staff, assistant or trusted aide, saying his roles were related to media and information work.
CLAIMS TUPAS' FAMILY WAS OFFERED MONEY
Duterte also claimed that negotiations involving money had taken place with individuals who could potentially testify regarding the alleged delivery of cash-filled suitcases.
She said Tupas told her that NBI personnel allegedly attempted to take him from North Cotabato on September 29 and that his family was allegedly offered money and other inducements.
According to Duterte, Tupas also has evidence concerning alleged attempts to persuade him to meet informally with NBI personnel in Manila.
She questioned whether Tupas was being taken into custody for protection or being brought in to testify.
Duterte said Tupas would present his own evidence on the matter.
The vice president said she intends to submit her affidavit and supporting attachments on Thursday in response to Gracioso’s allegations.
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