MANILA, Philippines – On Monday evening, December 2, Rufa Mae Quinto’s lawyer confirmed to ABS-CBN that the actress is facing an arrest warrant in connection with her involvement with the company Dermacare. This case is linked to the same company where actress Neri Miranda is facing charges of syndicated estafa. However, Quinto’s lawyer, Mary Louise Reyes, clarified that the arrest warrant pertains to 14 counts of violation of Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code, not large-scale or syndicated estafa.
Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code states that securities can only be sold or offered for sale in the Philippines with a registration statement that has been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This section mandates that before any securities are sold, potential buyers must be provided with certain information, as prescribed by the SEC.
Quinto and her camp are expected to release an official statement regarding the matter on Tuesday, December 3.
Meanwhile, Neri Miranda is facing charges of syndicated estafa, alongside violations of the same Securities Regulation Code. According to Robert Labe, the lawyer representing the 39 clients who filed the charges, Miranda allegedly “enticed” people to invest in a company that was not authorized to solicit investments. Labe claims Miranda used her public image as a “person of integrity” and a “Wais na Misis” (smart wife) to gain the trust of investors.
Miranda, who owns several businesses such as Neri’s Gourmet Tuyo and some branches of the Italian restaurant Amare La Cucina, has received public support, including from former senator Kiko Pangilinan. Pangilinan commented on a post from Miranda’s husband, Chito Miranda, defending her, stating that the real culprits, the company owners, should be pursued, not the endorsers. He also expressed hope that the case would be dismissed or sent for preliminary investigation, leading to the lifting of the arrest warrant.
Chito Miranda also voiced his frustration, saying, “This is the woman you imprisoned without bail, while those with actual faults walk free.”
