THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Tuesday that former House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco is currently out of the country amid allegations his ex-aide made cash deliveries to the Dutertes.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the BI said its records show that there was no existing hold departure order or derogatory alert that would have prevented his departure from the Philippines.
The bureau also cannot disclose further details due to data privacy concerns, saying that it “remains committed to the consistent enforcement of immigration laws and policies while ensuring the proper protection and confidentiality of personal information.”
This comes after Rodulfo Gracioso, Jr., former policeman and Mr. Velasco’s former security aide, appeared before the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday, claiming he delivered large sums of money to Vice-President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, and Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte, at the instructions of Mr. Velasco.
Mr. Velasco denied the allegations, citing a lack of basis and calling them “fabricated attacks” against him.
In a statement issued on Sept. 26, Ms. Duterte also denied Mr. Gracioso’s claims, saying she does not know Mr. Gracioso and that she did not receive money from him, describing it as “nothing more than another media stunt.” — Marron Joshua F. Mendoza