NBI issues subpoena vs Luis Manzano over FlexFuel investment complaints

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena against actor and TV host Luis Manzano over his alleged involvement in the Flex Fuel Petroleum Corporation investment mess, John Consulta reported on “24 Oras” on Friday.

Members of the NBI personally delivered the subpoena to Manzano’s residence in Taguig City after some 40 investors filed estafa complaints against him and other personalities linked to the oil firm.

“Pumasok po sa aming Zoom meeting si Luis Manzano at nagpakilalang owner at chairman ng FlexFuel. Ito raw po ay isang lifetime business, pandemic-proof business, kaya po napakaganda po,” Leo, one of the investors, said.

(Luis Manzano took part in our Zoom meeting and introduced himself as an owner and chairman of FlexFuel. He said it was a lifetime business, a pandemic-proof business. That was why it was attractive.)

“Ako po ay nag-loan sa bangko upang maipadala sa FlexFuel para sa investment. Nitong April 2022, nakalipas ang anim na buwan wala pa rin po silang natatayong gasoline station hanggang sa ngayon po wala pa silang natatayong gasoline station kahit isa,” he added.

(I took out a loan at a bank so I could send an investment to FlexFuel. This April 2022, it's been six months and they still haven't put up a gasoline station. To this day, they haven't put up a gasoline station, not one.)

But the complainants said they were willing to drop the matter should the company return their investments.

“Ibalik na niya ang pera namin, kahit principal. 'Yung buong pera lang namin na dineposit namin sa account niya. Kahit wala na 'yung kinita, wala na 'yung interest. Di na kami magsasampa ng kaso,” said Jinky Sta. Isabel, one of the complainants.

(Just give our money back, even just the principal, the whole sum that we deposited in his account. Even without any profit, any interest. We won't file a case.)

FlexFuel previously rejected accusations they were involved in an investment scam but admitted their business suffered setbacks due to external factors “beyond their control,” such as the coronavirus pandemic.

GMA News reached out to Manzano who earlier denied involvement in the company and said he likewise lost money in the company.

“Patuloy pa rin naming kinukuhanan ng statement itong mga dumarating na complainants. Ongoing pa rin ang aming verification and we want to be exhaustive and thorough sa aming investigation,” said NBI Spokesperson Giselle Garcia-Dumlao.

(We continue to take statements from the complainants who arrive. We are continuing with our verification, and we want to be thorough in our investigation.)

“We would like to observe fairness din sa aming investigation. That's why gusto rin naming bigyan ng opportunity itong mga respondents to give their side dito sa mga kaso na sinasampa,” Dumlao added.

(We would also like to observe fairness in our investigation. That's why we want to provide respondents with the opportunity to side to give their side of the complaints that were filed.) — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News