DAVAO CITY, Philippines—Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband allegedly took money worth millions from China, former Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV claimed Friday, Oct. 2.
The former senator made the claim at a news conference a day after withdrawing from testimony in Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial. Trillanes said he asked to be dropped from the witness list, sensing pressure from some senators.
He presented records showing Chinese funds flowed to the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation in 2019, where Duterte served as a board member along with her former information officer, Jefry Tupas.
The foundation’s financial records, presented by Trillanes, showed that P150 million was donated by the Chinese Embassy in 2019 as grant to build 13 classroom buildings. China donates school building
The former senator said Duterte receiving money from a foreign government constitutes an impeachable offense, and cited it as a national security concern given tensions between China and the Philippines over the West Philippine Sea.
“If that is still not impeachable, I don’t know anymore. We are turning a blind eye,” Trillanes told reporters in Filipino.
Mysterious banana chip company
A banana chip company linked to Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, also received money from China, Trillanes claimed.
The company, Cale88 Foods, listed Carpio as an incorporator and shareholder from 2021 to 2024 before his name did not appear in records of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 2025.
Trillanes claimed Carpio divested from the company at the same time the first impeachment case was filed against Duterte.
The former senator shared records from SEC showing red flags in the company.
He pointed out that Cale88 reported no trade receivables or payables, meaning it had neither collectible cash from sales nor loans from operations.
“Parang merong banana cue stall. Pag nagbenta, cash. Pag bumili ng materials, cash din,” Trillanes said. (It’s like a banana cue stall. When it sells, it gets cash. When it buys materials, it’s in cash too.)
Company records reported no sales in 2021, earned P20,000 in 2022. Sales rose sharply to P23 million in 2023, then P150 million in 2024.
But Trillanes pointed out the company records showed only two employees reported.
Trillanes said Cale88 recorded P319 million, which he claimed came from China, with the company acting as a conduit for funds for the Dutertes.
The ex-senator said even if the company is not directly linked to Duterte, the money should be reported in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and records as it is shared property.
When asked about more proof on his claims, Trillanes said the House prosecution will prove this in the impeachment trial.
Unexplained wealth
Sara Duterte is facing four articles of impeachment in the Senate, with Article II accusing her of unexplained wealth.
House prosecutors argued irregularities in her financial statements and bank records, showing her declared net worth rose from P7.25 million in 2007, her first year as vice mayor of Davao, to P98.66 million in 2025.
Duterte did not declare cash on hand or in banks from 2021 to 2025.
Trillanes further alleged that the Duterte family received millions in manager’s check deposits from Davao businessman Sammy Uy, whom he accused of dealing in illegal drugs. Uy is a close friend of the former President Rodrigo Duterte. (davaotoday.com)
