VP camp calls out new ‘tanim witness’

Manila—The Vice President’s camp brushed aside yet another allegation that she received cash deliveries, this time from a self‑identified former driver of former House speaker Lord Allan Velasco. The claim, lodged with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, adds to a string of accusations that have swirled around the Duterte family since the 2021‑2022 period, when alleged cash handovers were said to have taken place in Davao City.

New witness steps forward

According to the NBI, the individual—known only by the alias “Chris”—appeared before investigators on Thursday and submitted an affidavit that he claims he was part of two trips to Davao in 2021 and 2022. In his statement, Chris said he transported roughly fifteen suitcases on each journey, each allegedly containing a “small gift” for Vice President Sara Duterte. He added that the head driver told him the luggage held cash, but he never saw the Vice President herself and was left outside the destination.

Chris also handed over photographs that he says link him to the trips, as well as social‑media posts that could corroborate his presence in Davao during the relevant months. The NBI director, Melvin Matibag, said the bureau will scrutinize these materials, summon Chris for further questioning, and consider a polygraph test to verify his account.

Spokesperson’s rebuttal

Vice President Duterte’s spokesperson, Paolo Panelo, dismissed the new allegation as another “tanim” (planted) witness. In a statement, Panelo warned that the media should not simply repeat the claims but independently verify them, suggesting that the “Fourth Estate is being weaponized” in a campaign of “black propaganda” against the Vice President. He reaffirmed that the Vice President would “happily dismantle each allegation with evidence at the proper time,” echoing earlier denials of similar accusations.

Panelo’s remarks reflect a broader strategy of the Vice President’s camp to frame the allegations as politically motivated attacks, a narrative that has been repeated since former policeman Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. first alleged that he delivered more than ₱2 billion in cash to Duterte and her family on Velasco’s orders.

Connections to earlier claims

The new testimony appears to echo details first presented by Gracioso, who claimed to have moved large sums of cash under Velasco’s direction. While the exact amount Gracioso alleged—over ₱2 billion—was not reiterated by Chris, the latter’s affidavit mentions a payment of at least ₱150,000 per delivery, a figure Matibag said he had not yet personally reviewed. Both witnesses assert that they were part of a convoy of drivers, suggesting a coordinated effort rather than an isolated incident.

Matibag noted that Chris is “one of the drivers mentioned as having accompanied Gracioso,” indicating that the NBI sees a potential link between the two accounts. However, the bureau stressed that it will carefully validate all information before drawing conclusions, underscoring the need for concrete evidence beyond affidavits and recollections.

Investigative steps and legal implications

The NBI’s next steps include a thorough examination of the photographs, social‑media footprints, and any other documentary evidence Chris provided. Investigators will also seek to interview Velasco, who, according to immigration records, was last reported in Japan’s Niseko area. The bureau’s intent to summon Velasco and other individuals named in the allegations signals a willingness to expand the probe beyond the driver’s testimony.

Should the investigation uncover credible proof of cash transfers, the matter could trigger legal scrutiny from the Office of the Ombudsman and potentially the Department of Justice. Allegations of illicit cash movements intersect with anti‑corruption statutes and could lead to charges if the evidence meets the threshold for prosecution.

Political backdrop

The timing of these accusations coincides with a period of heightened political tension in the Philippines. As the 2028 elections draw nearer, the Duterte camp faces intensified scrutiny from opposition lawmakers and civil‑society watchdogs. Allegations of cash deliveries, especially involving a former speaker and a former police officer, feed into narratives of patronage and misuse of public office that opposition figures have long leveraged.

Meanwhile, the Vice President’s camp continues to portray these claims as part of a coordinated effort to undermine her credibility. By framing the allegations as “black propaganda,” the camp seeks to rally its supporters in the barangays and among OFWs who view the Duterte administration as a bulwark against what they see as elite manipulation.

Public reaction and media responsibility

Filipinos, accustomed to a vibrant and often polarized media landscape, have taken to social platforms to discuss the latest development. Some netizens expressed skepticism, pointing to the pattern of “tanim” witnesses, while others called for a transparent investigation, emphasizing the need for accountability regardless of political affiliation.

Panelo’s appeal for the media to “independently test and verify” the claims underscores an ongoing debate about journalistic standards. In a country where the press has historically played a watchdog role, the call for rigorous fact‑checking resonates with the public’s desire for truth amid a flood of partisan narratives.

What lies ahead

As the NBI continues its inquiry, the focus will shift from the sensational headline of “suitcases of cash” to the painstaking work of corroborating or debunking the testimony. The outcome will likely influence not only the political fortunes of Vice President Sara Duterte but also the broader discourse on transparency and the rule of law in the Philippines.

For now, the story remains in flux. The NBI has not released a definitive finding, and both the Vice President’s camp and the accusers await the next round of evidence. What is clear, however, is that the episode has reignited public conversations about the integrity of public officials, the role of the Fourth Estate, and the enduring struggle to ensure that justice and democracy prevail in the everyday lives of ordinary Filipinos.

This article was produced with AI-assisted research and editorial support. Reporting is based on the source material cited below. Sources: Philstar.com; Global1.News (31 October 2026).

By Bella Reyes, Staff Writer