The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday vowed to closely evaluate allegations by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a dismissed police officer, that he delivered suitcases of cash to members of the family of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Gracioso, a former security aide of former House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco, would be held liable for perjury if his claims that he delivered money to Duterte, then Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, and Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte upon Velasco’s instructions are not true.

“(Y)ou know if evidence reaches us, we tend not to believe it at once. That is why we are the National Bureau of Investigation, so we will investigate if there is truth to the said evidence; the pictures will be subject to authentication and verification,” Matibag said.

Matibag said the NBI would invite the personalities mentioned by Gracioso in his affidavit, including Vice President Duterte and Velasco.

“So, we need to investigate because if the claim is not true, he can be answerable for perjury,” Matibag said.

“Kung totoo naman ang sinasabi niya, meron tayong mas malalim na tinitingnan (If what he is saying is true, then we need to look deeper),” he added.

The NBI chief said Gracioso passed a lie detector test, but only on matters limited to his identity and relationship with the individuals he mentioned, and not on the details mentioned in his affidavit. (PNA)