This is one of the saddest family stories in showbiz this year, and it has a new chapter. Kim Chiu's older sister Lakam got some good news from the court, but she is still not home.
Photo: PEP.phDid the court lower Lakam Chiu's bail?
Yes, partly. According to her lawyer, Atty. Dominic Solis, the court "partially granted" their motion. The bail went down from the recommended P5.838 million to P5.6 million, a cut of around P200,000.
The bigger relief is the payment option. Atty. Solis said that if Lakam pays in cash, the bond is cut by 50%, to about P2.9 million. If she uses a surety bond, the full P5.6 million still applies. He had earlier argued that the original amount was too much for his client to pay.
Is Lakam Chiu still in jail?
As of September 22, yes. ABS-CBN News reported that Lakam was visited by friends at the Kamuning Police Station in Quezon City that Tuesday, and Fashion Pulis reported that she had still not posted bail even after the reduction.
What is the case against Lakam Chiu?
Lakam faces 124 counts of qualified theft filed in connection with House of Little Bunny Philippines, the business she co-owns with Kim. Based on the prosecutor's resolution reported by PEP.ph, Kim said she discovered "unusually large withdrawals" from their corporate accounts in May and June 2025, reportedly reaching around P44 million.
Lakam has firmly denied that the transfers were unauthorized. Her side says the accounts were joint accounts of the two sisters and could be used for their other business ventures too. The case is still in court, and no ruling has been made on the charges themselves.
She was arrested on September 20 in Mandaluyong City. Her camp has also said they hope to reach a settlement with Kim.
A family story, not just a court case
Money and family are a tough mix, and a lot of Filipino families have lived some version of this. Business with kapatid sounds perfect until something goes wrong. Whatever the court decides, this is clearly painful for both sisters, and we hope they find a way to talk again.
Have you ever gone into business with family? Would you do it again? Share your thoughts, but please keep it respectful to both sides.
Quick answers
How much is Lakam Chiu's bail now?
Her lawyer said the court lowered it to P5.6 million, or about P2.9 million if paid as a cash bond.
Where is Lakam Chiu detained?
She has been held at the custodial facility of the Kamuning Police Station in Quezon City since her arrest on September 20, 2026.
What is Lakam Chiu charged with?
She faces 124 counts of qualified theft linked to House of Little Bunny Philippines, the business she co-owns with Kim Chiu. She denies the withdrawals were unauthorized.
Updated September 23, 2026. Sources and photo credits: X: ABS-CBN News | Fashion Pulis | PEP.ph | PhilNews. All photos belong to their respective owners.