Chinese state firms sent funds to firm linked to VP Duterte, says Hontiveros
Senator Risa Hontiveros has raised concerns regarding P319.33 million in remittances from Chinese state-owned enterprises to a company linked to the husband of Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte. The Anti-Money Laundering Council confirmed the transactions but declined to comment on potential political linkages during an impeachment-related hearing.
Why it matters
The potential involvement of foreign state funds in the finances of a high-ranking official's family raises significant national security and corruption concerns in the Philippines.
SEVERAL Chinese state-owned enterprises sent funds to a company linked to Vice-President (VP) Sara Duterte-Carpio’s husband, a senator-judge said on Tuesday, raising questions about the source of P319.33 million in remittances from Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Senator-Judge Ana Theresia “Risa” N. Hontiveros-Baraquel said her office examined Chinese companies identified in testimony by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel U. Buenaventura and found that several were owned by the Chinese government.
Mr. Buenaventura, testifying as a prosecution witness, confirmed that Cale88 Foods Corp., where Ms. Duterte’s husband Manases R. Carpio was a shareholder, received P319.33 million in remittances from Mainland China and Hong Kong.
Of the amount, P315.94 million came from Mainland China and P3.39 million from Hong Kong.
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