HOUSE lead prosecutor Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangas has called for verification of a possible Davao-China sister-city arrangement on Monday as she explained why prosecutors were examining the China travel of Vice President Sara Duterte’s first defense witness.
At a post-trial press conference on Monday, Luistro connected the scrutiny to questions already raised about inward remittances to Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to Duterte’s husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
She referred to Sen. Raffy Tulfo’s explanation for questioning Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin about his travels.
“He raised the inward remittances from China to Cale88,” Luistro said.
The prosecution’s earlier presentation identified approximately P319.33 million in remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong to the company.
The figure concerns corporate transactions, not a demonstrated payment to Adalin or a personal receipt by Duterte.
“Walang sapat na explanation yung inward remittances na iyon,” Luistro said.
Luistro asked who arranged and financed the travel, and sought an explanation of the arrangement recalled by the witness.
Adalin had described the January 2026 journey as personal travel paid from his own funds.
When questioned about a separate 2018 journey, he tentatively recalled travel connected with a sister-city activity and offered to provide official documents.
Luistro asked whether an agreement existed and what obligations or benefits accompanied the arrangement.
“Is there really a sisterhood agreement between the city of Davao and one of the cities in China?” she asked.
The lead prosecutor also pointed to Adalin’s appointment as city assessor during Duterte’s term as Davao mayor.
The assessor had confirmed the appointment in his testimony.
His public position formed part of the context of the questions about the travel arrangements.
“So that is something to verify pa rin,” Luistro said.
She also sought details of any programs, benefits, or privileges received through a Chinese city government.
Her questions followed Adalin’s offer to provide official documents after checking the travel records.
Luistro said the scrutiny also carried significance because of the Philippines’ dispute with China in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
“Yes, may significance because of our situation in the West Philippine Sea,” she said.
metrosundaily
