Maynard Ngu no longer serves as special envoy — Palace

Tech billionaire Maynard Ngu no longer sits as special envoy to China for trade, investments, and tourism, Malacañang said Wednesday.

"As of August 2025, hindi na (not anymore)," Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said in a briefing when asked if Ngu still holds the special envoy position amid his alleged links to the flood control corruption scandal.

Castro said Ngu's term had already expired. However, she did not mention Ngu's replacement in the post.

''Nag-expire po kasi ang term niya, tapos na po. Six months lamang po iyon. So, hindi naman po ni-renew,'' she said.

(His term has already expired, it's finished. It's only for six months. So, it was not renewed.)

Speaking at a Senate blue ribbon committee hearing last September, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo revealed a supposed scheme to funnel kickbacks from government projects.

Bernardo said in his affidavit that he funneled through Ngu 20% or P160 million of about P800 million of inserted projects for Valenzuela and Marinduque in the General Appropriations Act. The P160 million, Bernardo said, was "meant for Senator Francis 'Chiz' Escudero."

READ: Who is Maynard Ngu, the special envoy linked to the flood control scandal?

Ngu is the chief executive officer of Cosmic Technologies, the company behind popular local cellphone brand Cherry Mobile.

Days after he was tagged by Bernardo, Ngu resigned as an independent director of Gokongwei-led property venture Altus Property Ventures Inc. (APVI). 

In March 2023, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. administered the oath of office to Ngu as his special envoy. — VDV/RSJ, GMA Integrated News