Rufa Mae Quinto breaks silence on arrest warrant in connection to Dermacare issue
Rufa Mae Quinto has spoken out about the warrant of arrest she's facing in connection to the issue with Dermacare, which is the same skincare company linked to Neri Miranda’s arrest.
The actress denied allegations that she got involved in a scam in a statement sent to PhilSTAR L!fe on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
“I have no connection whatsoever to any fraudulent activity and I categorically deny these baseless accusations,” she stressed. “If anything, I am also a victim and I am determined to seek justice.”
Quinto stressed how she has “worked tirelessly” to build her career and keep her image untarnished through the years, noting that it’s “rooted in integrity and dedication.”
“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 said 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.”
She also thanked everyone who has sent her some love and support since the issue started. “To those who have extended their love and support, I am grateful. Let us allow justice to take its course, and I humbly ask for your patience and understanding as the truth unfolds,” she concluded.
Quinto's lawyer, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, confirmed to L!fe on Monday, Dec. 2 that her client is being charged with 14 counts of violation of 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."
Early this month, it was revealed that a "bigger endorser" is facing the same lawsuit as 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."
