VP Duterte accuses Marcos admin of orchestrating cash delivery allegations

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday directly accused President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and his administration of orchestrating political attacks against her, following fresh claims that she received suitcases of cash from former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco. “Administrasyon. Sino ang nasa likod ng paninira sa akin? Administrasyon. Ang Palasyo, si BBM,” Duterte said in a press briefing. (“Administration. Who is behind the smear campaign against me? The administration. The Palace, BBM.”) “Makikita ninyo naman ‘yung mga declarations, mga statements ng Office of the President, eh. Nandyan pa ‘yung impeachment nila,” she added, linking the fresh allegations to the ongoing efforts to remove her from office.

The controversy stems from an affidavit by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., who claimed he delivered cash under Velasco’s instructions to the Vice President, her brother Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte, and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte firmly denied the claims and announced she will submit her counter-affidavit on Thursday.

Her remarks come as the Senate impeachment court entered its 34th day of proceedings. While her legal team has been active in court, Duterte has yet to appear in person.

Turning the tables, the Vice President alleged that corruption controversies originally linked to Marcos were being redirected to target her.

“Lahat nung bahid na katiwalian na dapat sagutin ni BBM ay pinapahid niya sa akin. Sa kanya ‘yung issue ng maleta kasi tumanggap siya ng maleta ayon sa testigo ni Zaldy Co. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa sinasagot,” Duterte said, referencing previous allegations made by former lawmaker Zaldy Co regarding alleged budget insertions.

In November 2025, Marcos denied Co’s allegations that he, along with former House Speaker Martin Romualdez and key Cabinet officials, had orchestrated P100 billion in budget insertions during the 2025 bicameral conference committee deliberations.

-Paraluman News