Actress Kim Chiu (left) and her sister Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu share a warm moment during a Chinese New Year celebration in a photo posted on Instagram in January 2025. (Photo from @kamchiu on Instagram)
Actress Kim Chiu has filed a qualified theft complaint against her own sister over alleged financial discrepancies in her business. Prosecutors have begun an evidence-based review.
MANILA – Actress and television host Kim Chiu has filed a qualified theft complaint against her older sister, Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, involving what her legal team described as significant financial discrepancies in one of her businesses. The case is now under preliminary evaluation by prosecutors in Quezon City.
Complaint submitted to QC prosecutors
Chiu appeared at the Office of the Assistant City Prosecutor on December 2 to formally submit her complaint. She was accompanied by lawyers from LEAPLAW who said the filing was prompted by a review of business records that allegedly showed missing funds and irregular transactions in 2025. The lawyers declined to publicly identify the business or disclose specific figures because the matter is subject to confidentiality rules during preliminary investigation.
In a brief statement, Chiu described the filing as one of the most painful decisions she has made, adding that her priority is to protect her company and the employees who depend on it. Reports from several news outlets note that efforts to reach Lakam Chiu for comment have not been successful as of publication.
No criminal information has been filed in court. The allegations remain unproven and will undergo prosecutor assessment.
Elements of qualified theft under review
Under the Revised Penal Code, theft becomes qualified when committed with grave abuse of confidence. The provision is often invoked in situations where individuals entrusted with property or financial access are accused of misappropriating assets. Prosecutors will determine whether the evidence submitted by Chiu meets the elements required to establish probable cause.
Legal analysts note that probable cause is only a threshold determination and does not indicate guilt. The process typically involves exchanges of affidavits, audits of financial records, and examination of supporting documents.
A family dispute in the public eye
Chiu acknowledged that the complaint involves a painful family conflict and requested understanding from the public as her family navigates the situation. She said the decision to pursue legal action followed efforts to address the matter internally.
The actress has remained visible in her television work but has refrained from commenting further, citing respect for the legal process. Her lawyers have called for caution against speculation, underscoring that a complaint does not equate to a court finding.
Resurfaced feng shui video stirs online reaction
The filing of the complaint has drawn renewed attention to an unrelated 2024 vlog in which Chiu visited feng shui expert Johnson Chua in Binondo. In the video, Chua discusses predictions for individuals born in the Year of the Horse and mentions a so-called robbery star that he says could signify loss of money or trust. Chiu reacted playfully during the reading.
The video shows Lakam seated beside her. After news of the complaint, the vlog resurfaced widely across social media, with users posting edited clips and commenting on the timing of the prediction. Cultural observers note that Filipinos often link current events with spiritual or mystical themes, especially when the topics involve trust and family. Legal experts have reminded the public that such readings have no relevance to criminal proceedings and should not be treated as evidence.
Legal process enters evidence-based review phase
The Quezon City prosecutor’s office will notify the respondent to submit a counter-affidavit in response to the complaint. Prosecutors will then assess the documents, financial records, and sworn statements filed by both sides to determine whether the evidence establishes probable cause. If prosecutors find the threshold met, the case may advance to the filing of formal charges in court. If the evidence is insufficient, the complaint may be dismissed or returned for clarification. At this stage, the allegations remain under review and no judicial finding has been made.
