Who’s Jaime T. Cruz? VP Sara’s business associate is dad’s former envoy to China

September 22, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

The prosecution affirmed that Jaime Tan Cruz, whose name appears as an incorporator in businesses linked to Vice President Sara Duterte, was the special envoy to China for trade and investments during the administration of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Securities and Exchange Commission records show that Cruz was an incorporator in City Hall King Chow Foods Corporation, Metro City Chow Foods Corporation, Davao Bounty Times Foods Corporation, Davao Emerging Taipans Corporation, Davao New Royal Taipan Foods Corporation, and Great Jolly Times Food Corporation.

Cruz is also an incorporator of the JTC Group of Companies, which was listed as the largest shareholder of Gencorp Industries Inc., which Duterte declared in her statement of assets, liabilities, and net worth as one of her business interests. She was listed as a stockholder.

During the Vice President’s impeachment trial on Tuesday, Sen. Erwin Tulfo asked the prosecution if he was the same Cruz appointed by former President Duterte as the special envoy to China for trade and investments.

Private prosecutor Erwin Matib said it was the same person.

Matiba also affirmed that Cruz was the same person who was offered to head the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation but declined the post.

A corporate profile for the JTC Group of Companies described it as an aggregate of numerous companies in Metro Manila and Davao that franchises branded food concepts.

Duterte’s business interests came under scrutiny in her impeachment trial in connection with unexplained wealth allegations.