Former actress Neri Naig-Miranda, wife of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda, is expected to spend Christmas in detention after her scheduled arraignment on December 5 was postponed. The Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 in Pasay City rescheduled the hearing to January 9, 2024, following a motion to quash or dismiss the complaints against her.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) Southern Police District (SPD) confirmed that Neri remains in custody at the Pasay City Jail female dormitory.
The charges against Neri stem from alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code. According to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Neri is accused of soliciting unauthorized investments linked to Beyond Skin Care, a beauty clinic chain. SEC Director Filbert Catalino Flores III explained during a TeleRadyo Serbisyo interview that the investigation revolves around investment schemes purportedly promoted by the business.
An SEC advisory issued in September 2023 identified Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions, led by Chief Operating Officer Chanda Atienza, as the entity behind alleged unauthorized investment solicitations. These offers promised franchise partners quarterly returns of 12.6% for five years, along with free clinic services. The SEC emphasized that such schemes lack proper registration and warned that endorsers, brokers, agents, and influencers involved could also face charges.
Chito Miranda, in a social media post last week, defended his wife, asserting that she had no involvement in fraudulent activities. He pointed to Chanda Atienza as the alleged mastermind behind the situation. “Wala siyang kinuhang pera sa ibang tao, lahat ng pera nila na kay Chanda, ang may-ari ng Dermacare,” Chito stated.
The Pasay RTC has sought comments from the SEC and the prosecution regarding the motion to dismiss. In the meantime, Neri remains detained, casting uncertainty over her family’s holiday celebrations with sons Miggy and Manuel.
The case has drawn public attention, with debates about the accountability of endorsers and promoters in alleged investment scams. Neri’s legal team has yet to issue an official statement, but the postponement of the arraignment means a resolution is unlikely before the new year.
As the case unfolds, the spotlight remains on both the SEC’s ongoing investigation and the role of endorsers in potentially misleading investment schemes.