VP Duterte claims former aide was offered cash, Forbes Park home to fabricate testimony

Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday alleged that her former aide, Jefry Tupas, was offered financial incentives and upscale housing in exchange for testifying against her regarding alleged cash deliveries.

Tupas, who previously served as Davao City's chief information officer during Duterte’s tenure as mayor, was linked to the alleged cash transfers in an affidavit filed by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. The claims have since prompted an investigation by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Kumpirmado ko na merong negosasyon ng pera para sa mga posibleng tumestigo sa imbentong kwento ng maleta ng pera na umano’y ibinigay sa akin doon sa Gracioso affidavit (I have confirmed that money negotiations took place for potential witnesses to support the fabricated story about suitcases of cash allegedly given to me in the Gracioso affidavit),” Duterte said during a press briefing.

In his affidavit, Gracioso—a former security aide to former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco—claimed he delivered bags of cash to Vice President Duterte, her brother Rep. Paolo Duterte, and their father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, allegedly on Velasco's orders. Gracioso identified Tupas as one of the individuals who received funds on the Vice President's behalf.

Duterte, however, firmly denied receiving any cash deliveries during Velasco's time as House speaker, suggesting Gracioso may have targeted Tupas because the former city official was perceived as vulnerable after losing his job.

According to Duterte, Tupas informed her that NBI personnel approached him on September 29, 2026, in North Cotabato, initially offering protection under the guise of an alleged threat from the Duterte family.

“Pinuntahan nila si Jefry sa North Cotabato tapos sinabi nila, meron kang threat mula sa mga Duterte kaya kukunin ka namin para i-secure ka. Sinabi ni Jefry, gusto ko ng kasulatan. Sabi nila, magbigay kami ng kasulatan. Ang pinadala nila ay subpoena ad testificandum,” Duterte explained.

She added that Tupas reported being offered monetary aid for his family and a home in the exclusive Forbes Park neighborhood in Makati City if he agreed to cooperate.

“Sinabi mismo sa akin ni Tupas na noong pinagtangkaan siyang dalhin ng sapilitan ng mga tauhan ng NBI sa North Cotabato noong September 29, 2026 ay pinangakuan ang kanyang pamilya ng pera, tumira sa Forbes Park, at iba pa,” she said.

The NBI has yet to issue an official statement addressing the Vice President's allegations.

-Paraluman News