MANILA — Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday raised questions over companies allegedly linked to fund transfers to Caloocan-based firm Cale88 during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Hontiveros said her office reviewed the companies mentioned during the previous day’s proceedings and found that some of the entities that allegedly sent money to Cale88 were Chinese state-owned enterprises.
“Tiningnan ng opisina ko ’yung mga binanggit na kumpanya kahapon, at lumalabas na ilan sa mga nagpadala ng pera sa Cale88 ay mga Chinese state-owned enterprises,” Hontiveros said.
The senator-judge made the statement as the impeachment court continued examining financial transactions and records presented in connection with the case.
Hontiveros’ statement, however, represents her office’s assessment of the companies mentioned during the proceedings. The alleged transfers and the nature of the companies’ links to the Chinese government would still have to be established through evidence presented before the impeachment court.
The impeachment trial is now on its 34th day, with Anti-Money Laundering Council Executive Director Atty. Ronel Buenaventura continuing his testimony and facing questions from senator-judges and lawyers from both sides.
