Lawyer: Another celebrity included in estafa, securities violation complaint aside from Neri Naig

Another celebrity is included in the complaint that has been filed against Neri Naig for alleged syndicated estafa and violations of the Securities Regulation Code.

In Bernadette Reyes's report on "24 Oras" on Friday, Atty. Roberto Labe, who represents the 39 complainants, said that the unnamed celebrity is also an endorser like Neri of Dermacare-Beyond Skin Care Solutions.

"Kinasuhan po namin ma'am ay lahat ng board of directors nila doon sa Dermacare Corporation na 'yun plus lahat po ng mga endorsers. Siguraduhin po sana natin na 'yung ineendorse nating produkto or corporation or services ay legitimate po," said Labe.

According to him, his clients were reportedly enticed to invest almost P90 million in Dermacare because of Neri and its others endorsers.

"Kasama po siya sa mga kinasuhan namin as endorser gawa po ng isa po siya sa mga dahilan, 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," he said.

Neri became an endorser and franchisee of Dermacare in October 2020, per the report.

However, in a Facebook post on September 1, 2023, Neri announced that she is no longer affiliated with Dermacare. She also said that any transaction using her name is not authorized or is done without her permission.

Labe added that the checks given to his clients by Dermacare began to bounce in 2023 after the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released an advisory against the company. .

Per the SEC, Dermacare is not authorized to solicit investments because it is not registered and has no license to sell securities.

The SEC also noted that Dermacare's franchise partner agreement stipulated a guaranteed return of 12.6% every quarter within five years, aside from discounts from the clinic's services.

"Nakita namin 'yung kanyang 'franchise' agreement... Ay hindi, sabi namin securities 'to. It is an investment contract, so we warned the public," said SEC Director Filbert Catalino III.

The SEC added that endorsers can be held liable.

"'Yung nagbebenta mismo ng securities, 'yung salesman, 'yung broker, 'yung endorser, kailangan registered," he said.

Neri is currently detained in Pasay City Jail's female dormitory, while the SEC's case against Dermacare is pending before the Department of Justice.

GMA Integrated News is currently trying to get the side of Dermacare and Neri.

Neri was arrested for alleged estafa and violation of the Securities Regulation Code at a basement convention center inside a mall in Pasay City on November 23.

She is scheduled for arraignment on January 9. Her camp has filed a motion to quash and the Pasay Regional Trial Court has asked the prosecution and the SEC to comment on the motion.

Her husband, Chito Miranda, defended her name, saying she is only an endorser of Dermacare and her face was used to get investors.

Celebrities have expressed support for the couple, including Chito's uncle Kiko Pangilinan, who offered legal help.

— CDC, GMA Integrated News