Posted by ReyFort Media
(Updated) A Quezon City court has “partially granted” the motion to reduce the P5.8 million bail for TV host-actress Kim Chiu’s older sister Lakambini, the accused’s lawyer said Tuesday.
Atty. Dominic Solis, legal counsel for Chiu, said the court reduced the bail to P5.6 million and allowed the accused to post a cash bond, which would reduce the amount by 50 percent to about P2.9 million.
The bail would remain at P5.6 million if posted through a surety bond, in which a bonding company guarantees the amount to the court in exchange for a non-refundable premium.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Lakam’s legal counsel Dominic Solis said they have filed a motion before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84 seeking a “reasonable bail.”
“We have already filed a motion to reduce the bail. Napakalaki nga po ng amount na hinihingi or recommended and Ms. Chiu at this point of time simply does not have the means to post that entire amount,” Solis said.
“Ang hiling po namin ay reasonable bail naman po na hindi magiging hadlang sa kanyang karapatan na pansamantalang makalaya habang nililitis ang kaso,” he added.
Lakam, who has an address in Quezon City, was arrested by police Sunday afternoon at a condominium parking lot in Mandaluyong City by virtue of an arrest warrant dated September 8 covering 124 counts of qualified theft.
“May natanggap kaming report about diyan sa presence ng accused doon sa area ng Mandaluyong,” said Police Lt. Col. Aljun Belista, station commander of the Quezon City Police District-Kamuning Police Station. “Cooperative naman po sila at parang anticipated na po na may warrant.”
‘SHAKEN’
Lakam has since been detained at the Kamuning Police Station custodial facility.
“Kagabi po, understandably, she’s a little bit shaken. Medyo bago po ito,” Solis said. “Malungkot po ang pangyayaring ito lalo na’t ang kasong ito ay nag-ugat sa isang alitan ng mga magkakapatid.”
Kim’s camp, meanwhile, expressed support for her sister’s arrest.
“We are hopeful that this crucial step will expadite the ongoing legal proceedings,” said Margarein Archernar Gregana, legal counsel of Kim and company The House of LittleBunny Philippines, Inc. (HOLB).
The complaint stemmed from alleged serious financial discrepancies amounting to P44.4 million from January to July 2025 at the company, where the sisters are both stockholders.
“These charges are strictly involves the unlawful taking of corporate funds and not a pesonal dispute between Lakam and Ms. Kim Chiu,” Gregana said.
SETTLEMENT
Solis declined to discuss the merits of the case, saying it is already before the court, but expressed hope that a settlement remains possible.
“Umaasa pa rin po kami na sana maayos po ito ng magkapatid,” he said.
Gregana, however, said they have not received any offer to settle from Lakam’s legal team.
“Wala pa nagri-reach out sa amin talaga sa legal team upon filing ng complaint as to this, no offer, no anything. So, ayon. We take it as that,” Gregana said.
Kim’s camp added that they are determined to pursue the case and seek justice and accountability. (M. Delizo / abs-cbn news)
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