QUEZON CITY, Philippines — House prosecution panel spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Representative Zia Alonto Adiong highlighted an alleged “China connection” linked to Vice President Sara Duterte’s declared business interests during a press conference on Saturday, September 26.
Reviewing the unexplained wealth charges against the Vice President, Adiong cited Gencorp Industries Inc., a entity Duterte listed as a business interest in her Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). Adiong noted that the firm was formerly known as Timesquare Bee Foods Corporation.
“Based on our information, this company is owned by a Chinese national,” Adiong claimed, grounding his statement on prosecution details presented during the forum without disclosing the underlying document.
While Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) testimony introduced corporate filings associated with Gencorp, the Senate impeachment court has yet to evaluate the ultimate weight of those records.
Adiong argued that the corporate relationship demands deeper investigation, especially when evaluated alongside the Duterte family’s stance on foreign policy matters.
“Mukhang friendly sila sa narrative ng China. They’re not even hiding it,” Adiong remarked regarding the Duterte family and the previous administration.
“Mukhang mayroong proximity in terms of engagement with the Chinese government or with any Chinese entity,” Adiong said.
“If we go back to statements, positions that they have made, I think it has always been friendly to China,” he added.
The prosecution spokesperson clarified that the presented evidence focuses specifically on Duterte’s sworn asset disclosures, her corporate affiliations while serving as Vice President, and government contracts awarded to entities cited in her SALN.