(UPDATE) MANILA, Philippines — Actress Kim Chiu arrived Thursday at the Quezon City Hall of Justice for the arraignment of her sister, Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, who is facing 124 counts of qualified theft.
Kim was accompanied by Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi as she arrived at the court.
The arraignment comes days after Lakam was arrested in Mandaluyong City on Sept. 20, 2026 on the basis of a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84.
Lakam, 45, remains in custody as her camp works to secure her temporary release.
On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Lakam underwent a medical procedure while in custody. She was also visited by their father, who was with her during the process.
Her legal team had asked the court to reduce the bail set in connection with the 124 qualified theft charges. The court granted the request, lowering the recommended bail from P5.8 million to P5.6 million.
Despite the reduction, Lakam was unable to post bail and remained at the custodial facility at Kamuning Police Station in Quezon City.
Lakam is facing charges in connection with alleged financial discrepancies involving The House of Little Bunny Philippines Inc. (HOLB), a business in which she and Kim are stakeholders. The 124 counts involve alleged withdrawals and online transfers from corporate bank accounts amounting to P44.396 million, according to the Quezon City prosecutor’s resolution.
Lakam has denied the allegations, maintaining that the questioned transactions were not unauthorized because the accounts were jointly held by her and Kim. She also said there had been an understanding between the sisters that the funds could be used for other business ventures.
Kim filed the qualified theft complaint against her sister in December 2025 after allegedly discovering financial irregularities involving their business.
Kim’s legal counsel has previously stressed that the case was not a personal dispute between the siblings but involved alleged corporate funds. The lawyer said the complaint was filed by HOLB, in which Kim is a shareholder, to recover the company’s missing funds and establish accountability.
'Most painful steps'
The actress had admitted that pursuing legal actions against her own sister was one of her “most painful steps” she has taken in her life.
The court said it reduced the surety bond which allowed Lakambini to secure her temporary liberty through a 50 percent cash bond or P2.8 million.
But she remains under custody at the Kamuning Police Station, also in the city, as her family reportedly struggles to raise funds for her bail. WITH A REPORT FROM ARLIE CALALO
