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The Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, resumed the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate Social Media Unit/File
MANILA — A company previously linked to Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, Manases Carpio, received funds from Chinese state-owned enterprises, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said Tuesday.
Hontiveros made the statement during Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate court, which was hearing allegations that the country's second-highest official had amassed unexplained wealth.
The information was based on research conducted by Hontiveros' office and echoed claims recently made by former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, who said Cale88 Foods Corp. received P319 million from China.
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On Monday, Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura testified in court that Cale88 recorded P319 million in inward remittances from companies based in mainland China and Hong Kong, an amount that appeared to match the figure cited in Trillanes' earlier claims.
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During Tuesday's proceedings, Hontiveros asked Buenaventura whether the AMLC was investigating the Chinese companies that had transacted with Cale88.
Buenaventura, however, declined to answer Hontiveros’ question, saying he could only respond to matters covered by documents subpoenaed by the impeachment court.
"Tiningnan ng opisina ko 'yong mga ito, 'yong mga binanggit na mga kompanya kahapon at lumalabas na ilan sa nagpadala ng pera sa Cale88 ay mga Chinese state-owned enterprises," Hontiveros said.
The companies included China National Township Enterprises, which, according to research by Hontiveros' office, was formerly under China's Ministry of Agriculture.
Hontiveros said public profiles of the company also show that it claims to be "committed to serving the implementation of the country's (China) Belt and Road Initiative and foreign policy."
The senator also cited Beijing Zhenweifang Food Co., which is owned by Xinjiang Fruit Industry Group, another "Chinese state-owned enterprise" that "advances the interests of the Chinese Communist Party."
When Hontiveros asked whether the AMLC was looking into these linkages, Buenaventura, who is also a lawyer, again declined to answer. He later said he would take note of Hontiveros' statements.
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Before Hontiveros’ questioning, Buenaventura confirmed during cross-examination by defense lawyer Mark Vinluan that the remittances were made to Cale88, not to Vice President Duterte or Carpio.
Buenaventura also said AMLC records do not indicate that the Chinese entities that transacted with Cale88 represented the Chinese government.
There are also no records suggesting China funneled funds to Cale88, Buenaventura added.
The Chinese Embassy in Manila earlier denied funding Filipino politicians following Trillanes' allegations.
CANDIDATE FOR MONEY LAUNDERING?
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian later asked Buenaventura whether Cale88 could be a "candidate for money laundering," noting that AMLC reports showed the firm received P776 million that was not reflected in its books.
Buenaventura was initially hesitant to answer or draw a conclusion, but after further questioning, he said, "Kung candidate lang po, yes, but we have to consider all other factors."
Explaining the next step once a company becomes a candidate for money laundering, Buenaventura said: "In general, we have to determine kung ano 'yong unlawful activity na maaaring pinanggalingan ng pera o naging transaksyon sa pera."
"So hahanapin namin, involved ba 'to sa kidnapping for ransom, drug trafficking," he added.
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