Impeachment trial: Jaime Tan Cruz was ex-Pres Duterte’s envoy to China

MANILA, Philippines — Jaime Tan Cruz, who was identified as an incorporator of the same businesses in which Vice President Sara Duterte declared holding shares, previously served as special envoy to China for trade and investments under her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

This was confirmed by the House prosecution panel during the 28th day of Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial when asked by Senator-judge Erwin Tulfo.

READ: Sara Duterte trial: Prosecution may call Jaime Cruz as witness

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“Ito po bang si Jaime Tan Cruz is the same person na na-appoint ni dating pangulong Duterte as special envoy to China for trade and investment?” Tulfo asked.

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(Is this Jaime Tan Cruz the same person appointed by former president Duterte as special envoy to China for trade and investment?)

“Yes, they are the same person,” private prosecutor Atty. Erwin Matib affirmed.

Matib also confirmed that this is the same Jaime Tan Cruz who was once offered by former President Duterte to lead the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation as its chair, but he refused.

READ: Duterte eyes doc-businessman as new chief of shaken PhilHealth

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Based on records by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC, Cruz was identified as an incorporator of the following companies linked to Duterte:

• City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation; 
• Metro City Chow Foods Corporation;
• Great Jolly Times Foods Corporation;
• Davao New Royal Taipan Foods Corporation;
• Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation;
• Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation; 
• and JTC Group of Companies Philippines, Inc. 

The prosecution panel previously said that it may also summon Cruz himself as one of its witnesses in Duterte’s alleged unexplained wealth before the Senate impeachment court. /jpv