HOUSE prosecutors are considering obtaining financial records tied to the P150-million donation from the Chinese government coursed through a group led by Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, potentially widening their examination of China-linked funds in her impeachment trial.
The possible move involves Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines, which Duterte led when she was Davao City mayor.
It emerged Tuesday after Senator-Judge Bam Aquino asked House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia whether prosecutors would seek the group’s records following discussion of possible donations from China.
“Na-bring up na rin ’yung possible donations from China. Will there be any move to get the records of Tapang at Malasakit Alliance?” Aquino asked.
“We are considering it, Your Honor,” Divinagracia replied.
The Chinese government provided P150 million in 2018 for the construction of 13 school buildings in Davao City, with the donation coursed through Tapang at Malasakit for the project.
Former Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV renewed attention to the transaction last week when he presented documents on China-linked funds involving entities associated with Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.
Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura confirmed that Tapang at Malasakit was not among the records AMLC had been ordered to produce before the impeachment court.
“No, Your Honor. Those are not included in the subpoena, Your Honor,” Buenaventura said.
Aquino raised the issue after referring to a news report discussed during the proceedings concerning China’s denial that it provided money to a Philippine political faction.
The discussion followed questions from Senator-Judge Risa Hontiveros over links between Chinese state-owned enterprises and companies behind P319.33 million in remittances to Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to Carpio.
Buenaventura said he could not say whether AMLC was investigating those companies but said the council would take note of the information raised by Hontiveros.
The prosecution is presenting the financial evidence under Article II, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth and discrepancies in her financial and business disclosures.
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