Jaime T. Cruz linked to multiple Duterte family business ventures
Testimony at the impeachment court confirmed that businessman Jaime T. Cruz is a partner of Vice President Sara Duterte and her brothers, mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, in several companies.
Testimony before the impeachment tribunal on Tuesday revealed that Jaime T. Cruz maintains business relationships with Vice President Sara Duterte and her brothers, Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and 1st District Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte. SEC documents presented at the hearing identify Cruz as president of Chinese Gen Bee Food Corporation, where both Baste and Pulong serve as board members, and as a partner with Sara in Metro City Chow Foods Corporation.
Additional filings list Cruz as an incorporator of several companies cited in Sara’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth, including Gencorp Industries Inc., which has obtained contracts from Davao City Hall during Baste’s mayoralty. The ties extend to former President Rodrigo Duterte, who named Cruz special envoy to China for trade and investments in October 2019 and previously offered him the helm of PhilHealth. Cruz and his wife Kimberly also joined a business delegation that traveled with Duterte to Japan in May 2019, securing agreements to operate Karayama outlets and develop the Dohtonbori Okonomiyaki brand in the Philippines.
Why it matters
It highlights possible conflicts of interest among top officials and their business dealings.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTLeft-leaning coverage emphasizes the web of business connections between Jaime T. Cruz and multiple members of the Duterte family, while centrist coverage highlights Mayor Baste Duterte’s claim that he would not have approved the contracts had he known his sister’s involvement.
LEFT
Exposes extensive business ties linking Cruz to Vice President Sara Duterte and her brothers
CENTER
Focuses on the mayor’s denial that he approved contracts knowing his sister’s stake
The left emphasises
- maintains business relationships with Vice President Sara Duterte and her brothers
- SEC documents name Cruz as president of Chinese Gen Bee Food Corp. and partner in Metro City Chow Foods
- Cruz listed as incorporator of companies cited in Sara’s asset statements
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