Politics · Philippines Bureau
Cale88 banana export firm reported P150M sales with zero employees in 2024
A banana chip export company partially owned by the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte reported substantial 2024 revenues despite maintaining no staff, according to questioning by a Philippine senator.
LSN Philippines ·
Cale88, a banana chip export corporation established in 2021, generated P150 million in sales during 2024 while operating with no employees on its payroll, Senator Joel Villanueva raised during hearings on Monday. The company lists Manases Carpio, husband of Vice President Sara Duterte, as a 47.5-percent stakeholder. Villanueva's clarificatory questioning highlighted the discrepancy between the company's substantial revenue and its workforce composition during legislative proceedings. The observation underscored questions about the operational structure and staffing practices of export-oriented enterprises in the Philippines. Cale88's financial performance and organizational model have drawn scrutiny as part of broader legislative review processes.