Kim Chiu's sister asks to lower P5.8 million bail in qualified theft case; actress' camp says complaint 'not a personal matter'
Kim Chiu's legal counsel said that the P44.4-million qualified theft case filed by the actress against her sister, Lakambini, was “not a personal matter,” as the latter sought to reduce her P5.8-million bail following her arrest.
In a statement shared by GMA's 24 Oras on Monday, Sept. 21, Chiu's lawyer Atty. Margrein Archernar M. Gregana said, "We wish to clarify that the criminal cases filed against [redacted] are not a personal matter between her and Ms. Kim Chiu. The charges involve corporate funds that were unlawfully taken."
According to the statement, the case, which involves 124 counts of qualified theft against Lakambini, was filed by The House of LittleBunny Philippines, Inc., not Chiu herself, although the actress is a shareholder in the company.
Per Gregana, HOLB filed the complaint "to recover the company's missing funds and ensure accountability among those involved."
The lawyer, who represents both HOLB and Chiu, also revealed that the complaint against Lakambini covers actions allegedly done within just a fraction of the year 2025.
"The corporation is duty-bound to act to prevent further financial losses," the statement continued.
Gregana further confirmed that, contrary to reports circulating on social media, neither Lakambini nor anyone from her legal team has "made any genuine, good-faith effort to reach out to the officers or legal counsel of The House of LittleBunny Philippines, Inc. or Ms. Kim Chiu."
"HOLB and Ms. Kim Chiu remain fully committed to pursuing complete accountability and recovery through the proper legal channels, and we defer to the wisdom of the courts," the statement added.
Seeking 'reasonable bail'
According to the 24 Oras report, per PLTCOL. Aljun Belista of Kamuning Police Station 10, Lakambini is currently detained at the station's custodial facility.
Her camp is seeking to lower the P5.8 million bail recommended by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 84.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Lakambini's lawyer Dominic Solis said her legal team has filed a motion before the Quezon City court to ask for a "reasonable bail."
Solis said they are hoping to lower Lakambini's bail so she can claim her right to temporary freedom while her case is being processed.
"Umaasa pa rin po kami na sana maayos po ito ng magkapatid," he added. "As of now, wala po silang communication. But hopefully now, with this recent development eh sana magharap po sila finally."
The arrest stems from a complaint Chiu filed against Lakambini in December 2025 involving P44.4 million worth of financial discrepancies at HOLB from January to July 2025. Both sisters are stockholders of the company.
