Rufa Mae Quinto surrenders to police after arrest warrant
Rufa Mae Quinto has surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with the Dermacare controversy.
In a video published by GMA News, the actress is seen arriving at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 with her family. She had been staying in San Francisco, California, in the US before being charged with 14 counts of violating the Securities Regulation Code’s Section 8.
Section 8 of the SRC 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."
According to a report by Balitanghali, Quinto's lawyer, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, got in touch with NBI Chief Jimmy De Leon for her voluntary surrender. She has undergone a medico-legal examination before being brought to a Pasay court.
Despite her surrender, Quinto has denied allegations that she got involved in a scam related to Dermacare, 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 PhilSTAR 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."
The local star went on to say that she will face the accusations against her head-on. "I will cooperate fully with the authorities and face this issue through the proper legal forum. Rest assured, I will fight for my name and reputation."
Dermacare is the same company involved in Neri Miranda’s arrest in late November. Her cases of alleged estafa and violation of the SRC 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 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 residing in 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.
Miranda has since been released by the order of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court.
