FORMER House Speaker Lord Allan Jay Q. Velasco has traveled abroad, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) confirmed on Tuesday, amid an ongoing investigation into allegations that his former security aide delivered large sums of cash to members of the Duterte family on his orders.
The bureau stated that no Hold Departure Order (HDO) or derogatory alert existed against Velasco to prevent his travel.
Officials declined to release additional departure details, citing strict data privacy policies.
According to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, Velasco left the Philippines on August 30—four days after NBI operatives raided properties linked to the former lawmaker in Pasig City on August 24, where authorities recovered firearms-related items.
The NBI also confirmed that Velasco’s wife, Rowena, departed for Hong Kong on September 24. Neither has returned to the country.
The probe stems from claims made by Rodulfo Gracioso Jr., a former policeman and Velasco’s security aide, who submitted an affidavit to the NBI on Monday.
Gracioso alleged that Velasco and his wife instructed him to deliver suitcases of cash to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, former President Rodrigo R. Duterte, and Davao City Rep. Paolo Z. Duterte.
Velasco strongly denied the allegations, dismissing them as “fabricated attacks” lacking factual basis.
Vice President Duterte similarly rejected the claims in a September 26 statement, asserting she does not know Gracioso and calling his statements “nothing more than another media stunt.”
Matibag clarified that the affidavit and supporting materials provided by Gracioso—including photos showing him with a helicopter, airplanes, and motorcycles—are still pending validation and authentication.
The NBI chief announced that the bureau plans to issue formal invitations to Vice President Duterte, former President Duterte, Rep. Paolo Duterte, and the Velasco couple to shed light on the claims raised in Gracioso’s affidavit as the preliminary investigation continues.