April 28, 2026 —The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) confirmed it has yet to reach a final conclusion in its investigation into businessman Samuel “Sammy” Uy, despite years of inquiry into his alleged links to the illegal drug trade. The agency stressed that the probe remains ongoing and no definitive findings have been made.

PDEA spokesperson Atty. Joseph Frederick Calulut told Super Radyo dzBB that the investigation into Uy is still in progress. “Wala pa po. Hindi pa po final po,” Calulut said when asked about the results of the probe. He explained that Uy’s name is common among Filipino-Chinese families, making verification more complex. 

“We are still conducting investigation if Mr. Sammy Uy is involved, considering that this person’s name is very common. It is a known fact also na maraming mga foreign nationals or let us say Filipino-Chinese na magkakaparehas ang pangalan. So yung mga iba baka gumagamit din ng ibang pangalan,” he added.

The investigation into Uy resurfaced after former senator Antonio Trillanes IV alleged during a House justice panel impeachment hearing on April 22 that Vice President Sara Duterte and her family received ₱181 million from Uy, whom he described as a drug lord. Trillanes presented the claim as part of arguments to establish probable cause for impeachment proceedings against the Vice President.

PDEA clarified that Uy has been under investigation for years following reports of alleged involvement in the drug trade. Calulut also noted that other individuals, such as Michael Yang and Peter Lim, remain subjects of similar probes. However, no final determination has been made against any of them.

The allegations have sparked political debate. Former agriculture secretary Manny Piñol defended Uy, calling the accusations “stretching political black propaganda beyond what is believable.” Piñol described Uy as a longtime friend of former president Rodrigo Duterte and a member of a respected Filipino-Chinese family in Davao City, insisting that the claims were politically motivated attacks against the Duterte family.

Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal counsel, Atty. Paul Lim Poa also disputed the characterization of Uy as a drug lord, stressing that the claims remain unproven. “Now as to the allegation of him being a drug lord, I think that’s I don’t have the facts that’s merely an allegation so we shouldn’t conclude anything out of that. Again unless proven in the court of law I don’t even want to go there and say alleged drug lord. Kawawa naman kasi ‘yung tao na natama yung pangalan,” Poa said. He added that references to manager’s checks in hearings do not establish that any funds were actually received by the Vice President or her relatives.

Uy, a private entrepreneur with diversified businesses in agribusiness, real estate, automotive, and healthcare across Mindanao, has long been known as an acquaintance of former president Duterte. His proximity to the Duterte family has made him a recurring figure in political controversies, though no court has convicted him of any wrongdoing.

For now, PDEA reiterated that its investigation into Uy remains open and inconclusive, with no final results to confirm or deny his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade. The agency assured the public that updates will be provided once findings are complete.