MANILA, Philippines — Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, sister of actress Kim Chiu, pleaded not guilty to 124 counts of qualified theft and posted a P5.6 million surety bond.
Lakam attended the proceedings through videoconferencing on Thursday, according to her lawyer, Atty. Dominic Solis.
“Our client entered the plea of not guilty to the charges of qualified theft via video conferencing. Our client is holding up quite well considering the circumstances,” Solis said in statement.
The court had earlier reduced Lakam’s bail to P5.6 million. She was released from the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory at 5:32 p.m. according to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.
Kim attended the arraignment in person with her lawyers and Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi. She later issued a statement saying she was deeply hurt by the situation and understood that people may have different views about her decision to pursue the case against her sister.
“There are things I cannot talk about because there is an ongoing legal process. This was never about my personal money,” Kim said.
She added that the case concerns a business that began in 2023 and that the charges filed by her legal team cover only the period from January to July 2025.
“There is so much I am choosing not to say right now. Not because I do not have a story to tell, but because there is a proper time and place for the truth. For now, I trust and let the legal process take its course,” she said.
The 124 qualified theft charges involve alleged financial transactions connected to House of Little Bunny Philippines Inc., a business associated with the Chiu sisters.
Lakam’s not guilty plea means the charges will now be contested in court.
