SAN JUAN CITY, Philippines — Former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV claimed on Friday, October 2, that hundreds of millions of pesos originating from the Chinese government and mainland corporations were funneled into accounts associated with Vice President Sara Duterte’s husband, Atty. Manases “Mans” Carpio, as well as the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation.
During an independent press briefing, Trillanes alleged that over ₱319 million was transferred into CALE88, a firm he identified as being owned by Carpio, while an additional ₱150 million was directed to the Tapang at Malasakit Foundation.
“Ngayon ang pinaka-mabigat sa lahat, base sa mga nakalap namin na impormasyon at ito ay mapapatotohanan sa impeachment court,” Trillanes said, maintaining that the funds came directly from Chinese state and corporate sources.
Trillanes argued that the money channeled into Carpio’s corporate entity effectively forms part of the couple’s shared conjugal assets.
The former lawmaker was originally scheduled to appear as a key witness for the House prosecution in Vice President Duterte’s impeachment proceedings. However, Trillanes disclosed that he asked lead prosecutor Batangas 2nd District Representative Gerville Luistro to drop him from the witness roster on Thursday to spare the panel from external pressure.
Stepping outside the tribunal, Trillanes chose instead to hold a self-organized briefing to present his documented claims to the public.
The allegations remain unverified and have yet to be formally evaluated or established in a court of law.