By Jose Cielito Reganit
MANILA – The House prosecution is considering seeking financial records involving Tapang at Malasakit Alliance for the Philippines after Senator-judge Bam Aquino raised possible donations from China during Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial Tuesday.
Aquino asked House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia whether prosecutors would move to obtain the group’s records after the issue surfaced during the proceedings.
“Na-bring up na rin ’yung (That was brought up, the) 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.
Tapang at Malasakit, which was led by Duterte when she was Davao City mayor, received a PHP150-million donation from the Chinese government in 2018 for the construction of 13 school buildings in Davao City. The donation was coursed through the group for the project.
Former Sen. Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV last week brought renewed attention to the PHP150-million donation as he presented documents on China-linked funds involving entities associated with Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases “Mans” Carpio.
Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) Secretariat Executive Director Ronel Buenaventura told the impeachment court Tuesday that records involving Tapang at Malasakit were not among those covered by the subpoena issued to AMLC.
“No, Your Honor. Those are not included in the subpoena, Your Honor,” Buenaventura said.
Aquino raised the matter after referring to a news report discussed during the proceedings concerning China’s denial that it had provided money to a Philippine political faction.
The exchange came after Senator-judge Risa Hontiveros separately questioned Buenaventura over links between Chinese state-owned enterprises and companies that sent PHP319.33 million to Cale88 Foods Corp., a company linked to Carpio.
Buenaventura said he could not say whether AMLC was investigating the Chinese companies but told Hontiveros that the council would take note of the information she raised.
The prosecution is presenting financial evidence under Article II of the impeachment case, which accuses Duterte of unexplained wealth and discrepancies in her financial and business disclosures. (PNA)
CHINA DONATIONS. House prosecution counsel Mae Divinagracia answers clarificatory questions from Senator-judges during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday (Oct. 6, 2026). Divinagracia said they are considering seeking financial records involving Tapang at Malasakit Alliance, which received a PHP150-million donation from the Chinese government in 2018.
