Metro Manila, Philippines – Former Senator Sonny Trillanes alleged that hundreds of millions of pesos from China flowed to entities linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases “Mans” Carpio, warning that the transactions could have national security implications.
During a news conference on Friday, Oct. 2, Trillanes presented what he described as findings from his team’s investigation, including alleged China-linked transactions involving Cale88 Foods Corp., where Carpio had been an incorporator and shareholder, and the Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines, an organization associated with Duterte.
Trillanes alleged that more than P319 million from the Chinese government and China-based corporations went to Cale88. He also claimed that Tapang at Malasakit received P150 million from the Chinese Embassy. The P319-million figure and Carpio’s previous interest in Cale88 have also been reported based on records presented Friday and earlier testimony before the impeachment court.
Trillanes described the alleged transactions as among the most significant findings he had intended to present during Duterte’s impeachment trial.
“Ito na ang paraan ng China ng pagsuporta sa mag-asawang Duterte, maliwanag po ito. Kaya dapat ikilabutan po tayo rito kasi vice president po siya. May national security implications,” Trillanes said.
[Translation: This is how China supports the Duterte couple. This is clear. This should alarm us because she is the vice president. There are national security implications.]
Trillanes argued that the alleged flow of money deserved greater scrutiny because Duterte is the country’s second-highest official.
“Hindi ka puwedeng bigyan. Especially a high government official like a vice president, na heartbeat away from the presidency,” he said during the question-and-answer portion of the briefing.
[Translation: You cannot be given money, especially if you are a high government official like a vice president, who is a heartbeat away from the presidency.]
Trillanes said his team researched the transactions and maintained that the information could be verified through witnesses and documents if taken up by the impeachment court.
The allegations have not been established by the impeachment court. Records previously discussed during the trial, however, showed that Carpio was an incorporator, director and shareholder of Cale88 from 2021 to 2024.
Lead prosecutor Rep. Jinky Luistro has also confirmed that records submitted to the court contain summaries of remittances to Cale88 from China and other countries, but she did not disclose the amounts.
No comment
The Chinese Embassy in Manila declined to address Trillanes’ allegations when sought for comment by NewsWatch Plus.
“This is Philippine domestic politics. No comment,” the embassy said.
