Comedienne Rufa Mae Quinto surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Wednesday following an arrest warrant issued by a Pasay court. The case involves alleged violations of the Securities Regulation Code about Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions, a company under scrutiny by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Quinto, accompanied by her family, arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 on a Philippine Airlines flight from San Francisco, California, at around 5 a.m. According to “Balitanghali,” her lawyer had coordinated with the NBI for her voluntary surrender.
NAIA-NBI Chief Jimmy De Leon confirmed that Quinto underwent a medico-legal examination before being brought to the Pasay court for further legal proceedings.
Charges and Legal Defense
Quinto’s lawyer, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, clarified the charges against her client, stating that Quinto faces 14 counts of violating Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code. This provision mandates that securities such as shares and investments cannot be sold in the Philippines without prior registration and approval by the SEC.
Atty. Reyes emphasized that Quinto is not facing large-scale estafa complaints. “She will face those charges and voluntarily surrender. We will post bail. She is worried because the allegations are not true. My client is merely a brand ambassador and model endorser,” Reyes explained.
Reyes further pointed out that Quinto never received payments from clients, and the company’s checks allegedly bounced. “We have all the evidence, and we will present it in court,” she added.
Background on Dermacare Case
In September 2023, the SEC issued an advisory against Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions. The advisory revealed that the company was not authorized to solicit investments, as it lacked the necessary registration and licensing from the SEC. The SEC also warned that individuals acting as salesmen, brokers, dealers, agents, promoters, influencers, and endorsers of Dermacare could be held legally accountable.
Quinto’s case has drawn comparisons to that of actress-entrepreneur Neri Naig, who was also implicated in issues related to Dermacare. Both cases highlight the risks faced by endorsers of companies with questionable operations.
Next Steps
Quinto’s legal team is set to file for bail as she faces the charges. The NBI has assured full cooperation with the court in resolving the case. Meanwhile, the SEC’s advisory serves as a reminder for the public to exercise caution in dealing with unregistered investment schemes.