MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution team on Monday echoed the concern aired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in connection with the more than P319 million Chinese remittances to a private firm linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband Atty. Manases Carpio.
The Anti-Money Laundering Council previously testified before the Senate Impeachment Court that that Cale88 Foods Corporation, said to be owned by Carpio, received P319.326 million in inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong, while Duterte's Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines Incorporated received P150 million from the Chinese Embassy for the construction of 13 classrooms.
This, according to Marcos, is a matter that is “most disturbing” and “rises to a national security issue” if true.
“It is truly very alarming because it has national security implications,” former Surigao del Norte congressman and prosecution adviser Robert Ace Barbers said in Filipino in a press conference on Day 38 of Duterte’s impeachment trial.
Records flagged by the AMLC raised questions about the source and purpose of the funds but did not establish that the money came from the Chinese government or was personally received by Duterte.
House private prosecutor and spokesperson Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. echoed Barbers’ concerns, saying the allegations could have constitutional implications if supported by evidence.
He said the Senate impeachment court must determine whether Duterte committed a culpable violation of the Constitution or betrayed public trust.
Tolosa cited constitutional restrictions on public officials receiving gifts or compensation from foreign governments, saying these could become relevant if investigators established that Duterte received money from a country that had taken aggressive actions against the Philippines.
“Is this a serious violation—not just of the Constitution but of the public's trust—if they indeed accepted such money from another country that has taken aggressive actions against us?” Tolosa said.
The Chinese remittances are among the financial transactions raised during the prosecution’s presentation of evidence under Article II of Duterte’s impeachment complaint, which involves allegations of unexplained wealth and violations of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth disclosure requirements.
