Neri Naig ordered released by Pasay court —BJMP

A Pasay court has ordered the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to release actress and businesswoman Neri Naig-Miranda.

"The BJMP received the court order issued today by RTC (Regional Trial Court Branch) 112 ordering the release of Nerizza Miranda," BJMP spokesperson Jail Supt. Jayrex Bustinera said in a message to GMA News Online.

Naig-Miranda was arrested for alleged syndicated estafa and violations of the Securities Regulation Code at the basement of a convention center inside a Pasay City mall on Saturday, November 23.

In its order, the Pasay RTC quashed the arrest warrant issued against Naig-Miranda in her syndicated estafa case, noting that there was a procedural defect in the service of process.

“While a subpoena was issued by the OCP (Office of the City Prosecutor) Pasay City to notify accused Miranda of the charges leveled against her, it appears that the said subpoena was sent to… Batangas City instead of the correct address of the accused located at… Cavite,” the court said.

The court said that even if this was an honest mistake, Naig-Miranda was still not properly notified of the proceedings. 

The court said this is a denial of her right to due process.

“[T]he lack of proper notice to accused Miranda in flagrant violation of her constitutional right to due process of law invalidates the preliminary investigation conducted by the OCP-Pasay City as well as the subsequent acts or proceedings emanating therefrom,” it said.

It also ordered the Pasay City Prosecutor's Office to conduct a new preliminary probe.

Meanwhile, it denied Naig-Miranda's motion to withdraw the information or case against her.

The actress is currently at an undisclosed hospital for medical evaluation.

According to Jun Veneracion’s report on Super Radyo dzBB, Bustinera said that Naig-Miranda will no longer be brought back to the Pasay City Jail female dormitory.

In November, Naig-Miranda’s camp filed a motion to quash the case against her.

Due to this, her arraignment for her alleged violation of the Securities Regulation Code was moved to Thursday, January 9, 2025.

Naig-Miranda's arraignment for syndicated estafa set on Tuesday, December 3, was postponed as the court is still waiting for the comment from the prosecutor.

Chito Miranda, Naig-Miranda’s husband, has defended her, saying she was only an endorser and her face was used to get investors.—AOL, GMA Integrated News