Actress-host Kim Chiu has filed a criminal complaint for qualified theft against her sister, Lakambini Chiu, after allegedly discovering major financial discrepancies in one of their businesses.
On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Kim appeared before the Office of the Assistant City Prosecutor in Quezon City with legal counsels Xylene Dolor and Archernar Gregana, submitting her sworn statement along with supporting documents and evidence.
“Today, nag-file si Kim ng (Kim filed a) criminal case against Lakambini Chiu. We filed a criminal complaint for qualified theft. That’s all we can share for now,” Dolor shared.
While the specific business was not disclosed, Dolor acknowledged that supporters could “identify the business ventures she shared with Miss Lakambini Chiu.”
Rumors of a rift between the Chiu siblings surfaced months earlier, with fans speculating that the complaint involves Kim’s bag business.
According to Dolor, the complaint covers the current fiscal year, noting that Lakambini was part of the business management. She added that several attempts were made to settle the matter internally.
“[Kim] reached out and the lawyers reached out also. But, ‘yun nga po, it has also been a statement of Miss Kim na it has been a very difficult decision for her to do this,” Dolor added.
Kim was joined by her sister Twinkle and brother-in-law during the filing.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, when asked how she was coping, the actress kept mum from the issue and just said “sobrang bigat (too heavy).”
In a statement, Kim said the move was made in the interest of transparency, accountability, and protecting her company and its employees.
“I have made the difficult decision to file a legal case for qualified theft against my sister, Lakambini Chiu, in relation to serious financial discrepancies discovered within my business operations. This decision did not come easily. It is one of the most painful steps I have ever taken in my life,” said Kim.
“Unfortunately, substantial amounts connected to my business assets were found missing. These discoveries forced me to take formal action to protect not just my company, but also the livelihoods of the people who work with me and the integrity of everything I have built,” she added.
The “It’s Showtime” host also requested privacy as her family faces “a very difficult chapter” and expressed hope that “clarity and fairness will prevail through the proper legal channels.”
