QUEZON CITY, Philippines — Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, the elder sister of actress and television host Kim Chiu, has been released from detention after entering a not guilty plea to multiple criminal charges, jail authorities confirmed.
According to Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera, Lakam officially exited custody from the Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory late Thursday afternoon.
”Confirmed. She was released from Quezon City Jail Female Dormitory yesterday, 24 September 2026, at 5:32 p.m.,” BJMP spokesperson Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said.
Lakam was arrested by Kamuning police officers on Sunday afternoon at a parking area in Mandaluyong City under a warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 24. The arrest stems from 124 counts of qualified theft, with bail set at ₱5.838 million.
The legal complaint was originally filed by Kim Chiu in December 2025 following the discovery of alleged financial irregularities within her business operations.
Her legal counsel, Atty. Dominic Solis, confirmed that his client formally denied the allegations during her arraignment.
”Our client entered the plea of not guilty to the charges of qualified theft via video conferencing,” Solis said.
”Our client is holding up quite well considering the circumstances,” he added.