03/12/2025
The news about Kim Chiu filing a qualified theft case against her sister Lakambini sparked a lot of reactions online, with some people saying it should have been “settled within the family.” But from a legal standpoint, Kim is well within her rights to bring the issue to court.
Qualified theft is not a light accusation. Under the Revised Penal Code, theft becomes *qualified* when it involves grave abuse of confidence. It means someone took property without consent, with intent to gain, and did so by betraying a level of trust given to them. If Kim’s evidence shows that her sister had access to something because she was trusted, and then took advantage of that, the law treats it more seriously than ordinary theft.
And let’s be honest, this must have been incredibly painful for Kim. No one files a case against a sibling unless the situation has reached a point where her own finances, safety, and well-being are directly affected. Sometimes protecting yourself means taking steps you never imagined you would take.
People are quick to say “mag-ayos na lang kayo” because they assume family ties erase liability. But while the law does provide exemptions for some relatives, these do not automatically apply to every case between siblings. Courts have long recognized that when the taking involves a role that required special trust beyond simple family relationships, qualified theft can still be prosecuted.
Siding with Kim is not about choosing one sister over another. It is about recognizing that betrayal of trust is real and damaging, and the law gives victims the right to act. If Kim felt she exhausted all private options and her property was still taken without consent, filing a case is a legitimate and protective step. Family or not, accountability matters.