Former Vice President Sara Duterte information officer Jefry Tupas said she submitted her affidavit to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Thursday, October 1, in connection with the bureau’s investigation into alleged violations of the Anti-Plunder Act, Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, and Anti-Money Laundering Act.
In a statement, Tupas said she submitted the affidavit through her lawyer, Atty. Toby Diokno, in Manila.
Tupas said that before the submission, NBI personnel had sought to bring her to Manila on September 29, citing an alleged threat that she would be abducted, supposedly by members of the Duterte family.
She said NBI personnel led by Voltaire Rovira II, identified as the bureau’s Special Assistant for Mindanao Concerns, offered security assistance to her and her family, which they declined.
Tupas also said NBI Director Melvin Matibag personally informed her of the alleged threat and security arrangements during a phone call and asked her to meet in Manila. She said she instead requested a formal invitation from the NBI.
According to Tupas, the NBI later issued a subpoena ad testificandum dated September 28, directing her to appear before Matibag’s office at 10 a.m. on October 1.
The subpoena, she said, required her to provide information in connection with the NBI’s investigation into alleged violations of Republic Act 7080, or the Anti-Plunder Act; RA 3019, or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act; and RA 9160, or the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001.
Tupas said her affidavit addresses allegations made by dismissed police officer Rodulfo Gracioso Jr. in an affidavit that was recently made public through the media.
She rejected Gracioso’s allegations, describing them as false and saying they could be disputed by facts contained in her affidavit.
Tupas also addressed the alleged threat that the Dutertes would have her abducted, saying she did not believe the family had any reason to harm her.
At the same time, she said the information about the alleged threat had raised concerns about the safety of herself and her family, which she attributed to other unidentified parties.
She claimed that unidentified and suspicious individuals had been seen around herfamily’s homes and workplaces. She said these incidents were being documented on the advice of her lawyers.
Tupas said she is now a private citizen and asked not to be used as a “pawn, tool, or leverage” in efforts to pursue Vice President Sara Duterte and members of the Duterte family.
“I hope that I will be allowed to live a quiet and simple life—away from the chaos of politics,” she said.
