Politics · Philippines Bureau
AMLC finds no China government link to VP Duterte's husband's firm
An Anti-Money Laundering Council official testified that records show no Chinese government connection to P319.3 million received by CALE88 Foods Corp., which is linked to Vice President Sara Duterte's husband. The statement contradicts opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros' allegations of state-linked Chinese involvement.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — The Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) has no documentary evidence linking funds received by CALE88 Foods Corp. to the Chinese government, an AMLC official stated during Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial Tuesday. The testimony came as the defense presented its case regarding P319.3 million transferred to the company, which maintains business ties to Manases Carpio, the Vice President's husband.
During cross-examination, defense counsel Mark Vinluan questioned the AMLC official about the source of the funds in question. The official's response appears to undercut claims by opposition lawmakers who have suggested foreign government involvement in the transfers.
Senator Risa Hontiveros countered the AMLC testimony, asserting that the firms involved in the transactions maintain state-linked connections. The senator has been among the most vocal lawmakers calling for Duterte's removal, with the investigation into fund flows forming a key component of the impeachment proceedings.
The dispute over the fund origins represents a central point of contention in the high-profile case, with the defense and prosecution presenting competing narratives about the financial transactions' legitimacy and sources.