Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s trade envoy to China, Jaime Tan Cruz, holds controlling stakes and board seats in several companies tied to Vice President Sara Duterte, according to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) records presented at the Senate Impeachment Court.
On Day 28 of the trial, senator-judges confirmed Cruz’s involvement in multiple food and commercial enterprises declared in Duterte’s Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN).
SEC officials testified that Cruz and his family appear in incorporation papers of Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, Great Jolly Times Food Corporation, Davao New Royal Taipan Foods Corporation, Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation, and Davao Bounty Times Food Corporation.
Cruz’s corporate vehicle, JTC Group of Companies, was shown to own 54.99% of GenCorp Industries Inc., giving it majority control. GenCorp, which Duterte listed in her 2024 and 2025 SALNs, shares common officers and stockholders with other Duterte-linked firms.
Records revealed that Cruz family members serve as GenCorp’s president, treasurer, and corporate secretary.
Senator-judges noted possible “beneficial ownership” arrangements, as Duterte declared shareholdings in companies where her name does not appear in SEC records.
Presiding Officer Francis Escudero pointed out discrepancies between Duterte’s SALNs and official filings, suggesting indirect ownership through corporate shareholders.
The revelations underscore Cruz’s extensive footprint in businesses connected to the Vice President, raising questions about corporate control and transparency in Duterte’s declared assets. ||
