THE House prosecution panel on Monday stood by Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) records showing ₱319.33 million in inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong to Cale88 Foods Corporation, responding to the Chinese Embassy’s rejection of claims that Beijing funded a Philippine political faction.
“I’ll always believe the official records of our own government and their own banking institutions versus the claims of the Chinese government,” Private Prosecutor Atty. Benjamin “Jay” Tolosa Jr. said.
The embassy had called the allegation that China funneled funds to a Philippine political faction a “false narrative” and urged politicians to stop dragging domestic politics into Philippines-China relations. It did not name the politicians or faction covered by its statement.
AMLC Executive Director Atty. Ronel Buenaventura testified that Cale88 allegedly received ₱319,326,770.41 in inward remittances from mainland China and Hong Kong. The table covered 143 CTRs and three STRs. Carpio held a 47.5-percent interest in Cale88 through 2024.
House prosecution spokesperson Ace Barbers said the AMLC data established the movement of funds into the Philippine corporation.
“Hindi nagsisinungaling ang datos. ‘Yung datos ang nagpapatunay na meron talagang pera na pumasok mula China papunta sa isang korporasyon na rehistrado dito sa atin. Ito ang Cale88,” Barbers said.
Barbers said the records, rather than political claims, supplied the basis for the panel’s questions.
“The records will speak for itself. Bakit nagpapadala ng pera ang China dito sa kumpanyang ito? Kanino ang direct beneficiary nito? Gaano kadalas? Anong total amount?” he said.
Deputy Speaker Janette L. Garin of Iloilo said the inquiry should not damage diplomatic and trade relations with China.
“Sang-ayon ako personally na dapat huwag masira ang diplomatic relations ng Pilipinas at ng China. Our trade relationship with China will have to be maintained,” Garin said.
Garin drew a clear line between the documented origin of the remittances and any claim that they came from the Chinese government.
“Ang klaro dito ay may pera na galing ng China. Ako personally, hindi ko masabi kung ito ay galing sa gobyerno o hindi,” Garin said.
She said the records still required answers about the senders and commercial basis of the transactions.
“Sino ba talaga ito? Kanino ba talaga ito galing? Legit ba ito o hindi? Talaga bang kumpanya ang Cale88?” Garin asked.
Three Cale88 remittances totaling ₱9,783,370.99 were reported as suspicious because the reporting institution cited no underlying legal or trade obligation, purpose or economic justification.
Barbers said the embassy’s statement did not remove the transaction records from the case.
“That will not erase the fact na may perang pinapadala mula China papunta dito sa kumpanyang ito. At iyan ay malaking question mark,” Barbers said.
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