The House prosecution panel is seeking to determine whether Davao City Assessor Engineer Jaime Adalin's alleged trip to China has any connection to the more than P319 million in remittances received by Cale88 Foods Corporation from China and Hong Kong.
During a prosecution press conference following Monday's impeachment trial proceedings, November 9, House Lead Prosecutor Gerville Luistro said the matter warrants further scrutiny, particularly because 47.5 percent of Cale88 is reportedly owned by Atty. Manases Carpio, the husband of Vice President Sara Duterte.
Luistro said the issue was also raised by Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo during the cross-examination of Adalin, who served as the defense's first witness.
“Malalim po 'yun. As a matter of fact, we heard it from Senator-Judge Raffy Tulfo himself. He raised the inward remittances from China to Cale88, which, based on the evidence presented by the prosecution, 47.5% of that is owned by Atty. Manases Carpio,” Luistro said.
She added that the remittances remain a significant concern because the prosecution has yet to receive a sufficient explanation regarding the transactions.
The lead prosecutor also questioned the circumstances surrounding Adalin's reported 25-day trip to China, particularly who financed the travel and why it lasted that long.
Luistro cited travel details indicating that Adalin arrived in Beijing on January 5 and departed from Shanghai on January 30, questioning whether such an extended stay was necessary for what was described as a simple visit.
“Bakit kayo nandun? Sinong nagbayad niyan? Why this long?” Luistro asked.
She estimated that hotel accommodation alone could have exceeded P100,000, even assuming a stay in a modest three-star or two-star hotel at around P5,000 per night.
