Lakambini “Lakam” Chiu, the older sister of actress-TV host Kim Chiu, was arrested in Mandaluyong City in connection with 124 counts of qualified theft involving funds of House of Little Bunny Philippines, Inc. (HOLB).
The Quezon City Police District arrested Lakam, 45, at around 4:06 p.m. on Sunday, September 20, in Barangay Wack Wack, Mandaluyong City, by virtue of a warrant issued by a Quezon City Regional Trial Court. The court set her recommended bail at ₱5.838 million.
Kamuning Police Station commander PLt. Col. Aljun Belista said authorities acted on information they received and conducted surveillance to verify Lakam’s presence in the area.
“Ang aming station po ay nakatanggap ng information report. Then, vinalidate po namin yun. Nag conduct kami ng surveillance… doon sa area mismo kung saan sinasabi doon sa report,” Belista said. “And true enough, [nung na] validate namin and nandun po siya. So, nung nakita namin siya, sinerve namin yung warrant sa kanya.”
Following her arrest, Lakam was brought to the Kamuning Police Station custodial facility for the appropriate procedures.
The arrest stems from the qualified theft case involving HOLB, the business associated with Kim and Lakam.
The Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City previously found sufficient basis to charge Lakam with 124 counts of qualified theft involving a total of ₱44,396,331.65. The allegations involve separate withdrawals and online transfers from HOLB’s corporate bank accounts.
Kim filed the criminal complaint in December 2025 after what her camp described as serious financial discrepancies were discovered in the business.
“The decision did not come easily. It is one of the most painful steps I have ever taken in my life,” Kim said in an earlier statement.
Kim’s legal camp has maintained that the dispute concerns corporate funds and that the legal action was pursued on behalf of the company.
Lakam, for her part, has denied the qualified theft allegations and is expected to address the charges through the legal process.
Days before her arrest, her lawyer, Atty. Dominic Solis, released a statement saying Lakam remained hopeful that the dispute could still be settled amicably within the family.
“Our client is saddened by her sister’s decision to pursue the case but remains hopeful that the matter can still be resolved amicably within the family. She will address the charges through the proper legal process.”
Kim’s legal camp, however, subsequently disputed suggestions that genuine settlement discussions had taken place, saying neither Lakam nor her representatives had made a good-faith effort to reach out to HOLB or Kim. The arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt. Lakam will have the opportunity to answer the charges as the 124 qualified theft cases proceed before the court.