'Go, go, go home': Rufa Mae Quinto released on bail
Rufa Mae Quinto has been released after posting a P1.7 million bail for charges in connection with the issue hounding Dermacare.
Her lawyer, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, told PhilSTAR L!fe on Thursday, Jan. 9 that the actress posted a bail of P1.7 million for 14 counts of violation of the Securities Regulation Code, each amounting to P126,000.
"Naniniwala po ako na justice is very fair kaya uwi na ako. Go, go, go home," she told reporters after the afternoon hearing on the case.
She turned emotional at some point as she opened up about the fraud allegations she's facing. "Nakakanerbiyos po lahat ng nangyari sa akin, nakakalungkot, pero naniniwala po ako na ang katotohanan ay magpe-prevail," she said as she expressed her thanks to those who have sent her love and support during this difficult time.
"Naiiyak ako kasi ang sarap maging malaya," she added.
Quinto was initially scheduled to post bail on Wednesday, Jan. 8—the same day she surrendered to authorities following the issuance of her arrest warrant—but she wasn’t feeling well. Reyes told L!fe that they had to spend the night at the National Bureau of Investigation and continue the bail process the following day.
The local star was confirmed to have an arrest warrant in December for violating the SRC's Section 8, which states that securities "shall not be sold or offered for sale or distribution within the Philippines, without a registration statement duly filed with and approved by the Commission."
Quinto has denied allegations that she got involved in a scam, stressing that she has "no connection whatsoever to any fraudulent activity."
"I categorically deny these baseless accusations. If anything, I am also a victim and I am determined to seek justice," she said in a statement sent to L!fe.
"As a public figure, I have always demonstrated my professionalism, transparency, and respect for the people and brands I work with," she emphasized. "It is dejecting to see my name being dragged through the mud, but I remain steadfast and confident that the truth will soon prevail."
In early December, it was revealed that a "bigger endorser" is facing the same lawsuit as Neri Miranda, who got arrested in late November for alleged estafa and violation of the SRC. Her cases reportedly stemmed from her endorsement urging dozens of individuals to invest big amounts of money in Dermacare.
Atty. Roberto Labe, who represents 39 clients who filed the cases against Miranda and others, told ABS-CBN's TV Patrol that his clients were "enticed" into putting millions of pesos into Dermacare despite its lack of license to solicit investments.
According to him, his clients from Quezon City, Pasay City, Sta. Rosa City in Laguna, and Batangas City filed the cases against Miranda and six members of the board of directors of Dermacare-Beyond Skincare Solutions. Their investments reached P89 million, with one client investing in 2022. He said his clients ended up getting bouncing checks in 2023.
Labe, in another interview with GMA's 24 Oras last week, revealed that another celebrity has been slapped with a similar complaint without specifying who it was.
"Kinasuhan po namin ma'am ay lahat ng board of directors nila doon sa Dermacare Corporation na 'yun plus lahat po ng mga endorser. Siguraduhin po sana natin na 'yung ine-endorse nating produkto or corporation or services ay legitimate po," he said at the time. "Sabi nga po ng aking mga kliyente, kung bakit po sila ay lalong nagtiwala sa corporation na 'yun dahil alam po nilang matino naman po 'yung mga artistang endorser."
