'She's so unserious': Rufa Mae Quinto amuses fans with witty remarks after surrendering to police
Rufa Mae Quinto may be facing legal issues for supposedly violating the Securities Regulation Code, but that didn't stop her from making witty remarks that left social media users shaking with laughter.
In case you missed it, the actress recently surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) following the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with the Dermacare controversy.
She is currently being charged with 14 counts of violating the Securities Regulation Code’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."
Despite her surrender, Quinto has denied allegations that she got involved in a scam related to the skin company and stressed that she herself is a victim, all while adopting her mannerisms and signature lines that popularized her as a comedy icon.
"Biktima din po tayo kaya lahat haharapin, go, go, go. Basta hinaharap. 'Di maganda kasi reputasyon ko na rin 'yung sinisira dito, kaya rin haharap ako para i-clear ko 'yung name ko. 'Di ba?" she said in an interview with GMA News.
When asked if she plans to file a counter-charge against the people who sued her, Quinto said, "Pag-iisipan natin, kung may isip pa ako. Tapusin muna natin ito, isa isa lang kasi kadarating ko lang from the US so one by one, step by step."
The local star that she feeling positive now that she posted bail.
"Ang sarap, you're free. The best things in life are free, 'di ba?" she said before urging the complainants go after the owners of Dermacare. "Sa totoo lang, ang dapat nilang hanapin 'yung may ari, tsaka wala naman akong kinalaman sa kanila, 'di ko naman sila na-meet, nakilala. In fact, ako rin, hindi rin ako nabayaran."
In a separate chat with ABS-CBN News, Quinto said that she hopes to have a chance to talk to the complainants themselves to settle the issue.
"Kakausapin ko sila kung gusto nila para makipag-chikahan ng ano ba nangyari, 'yung mga ganun. Tapos I lawyer myself," she joked. "Para ma-clarify lang."
"Ngayon, wala tayong dapat ikatakot kasi kung tayo naman ay innocent at walang ginagawang masama, eh justice will prevail. And justice to all mankind because I'm kind," she added.
Later on, she shared that she is praying to the Black Nazarene to help her overcome this issue, emphasizing, "After all the darkness, there's brightness."
On her Facebook account, she also expressed her gratitude to her followers for their supportive messages. "Thanks for keeping me go go going mga Fress, Family, Friends, Fans. Help help hooray."
'She's so unserious'
Following her statements, many social media users could not help but be amused at how "unserious" Quinto is despite facing allegations of securities fraud.
"The unseriousness of Rufa Mae Quinto," one user posted on X.
"Always so unserious, love that for her," another wrote.
Others expressed their admiration towards the actress for still being able to turn the situation around and elicit positive vibes.
"Not many people can face allegations squarely and do this in such a funny but not in a disrespectful way," one user said.
"Grabe ka talaga Rufa! 'Yung 'di ka nagpapatawa at seryoso ka pero matatawa ka talaga sa taong 'to," another commented.
Quinto has now been released after the order of Pasay Regional Trial Court Branch 111 after she posted a total of P1.7 million in bail on Jan. 9. The 14 counts of violation of the SRC amount to P126,000 each.
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 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.
Like Quinto, Miranda has also been released by the order of the Pasay City Regional Trial Court after her camp filed a motion to quash her arrest warrant.
