Chito Miranda defends wife amid arrest for securities violations, estafa: 'Never nanloko si Neri'
Chito Miranda, husband of Neri Miranda, released his first statement since her arrest.
In an Instagram post on Wednesday, Chito defended his wife and voiced optimism for a favorable resolution.
"Praying na ma-sort out na ang lahat ng ito...kawawa naman yung asawa ko. Never nanloko si Neri, at never sya nanlamang sa kapwa," he started.
"Never siyang kumuha or nanghingi ng pera kahit kanino man. Alam ng lahat yan. Tulong lang sya ng tulong hangga't kaya nya. Minsan kahit di na nakakabuti sa kanya. Kadalasan nga, naaabuso na sya pero hinahayaan nya nalang, basta wala syang ginawang masama. Pinapa sa Diyos nya na lang," he continued.
According to the singer-songwriter, Neri's face was used to attract investors for the brand she endorsed. He added that victims filed a case against her, leading to her sudden arrest without prior notice.
"Wala syang nareceive na letter from the prosecutor, walang subpoena, walang kahit anong notice. Yung mga dati, nareceive namin nya, at nag comply sya, (alam naman ng lahat na madali kami mahanap sa Alfonso)," he noted.
Chito said that the other similar cases were dismissed and they are praying that it would be the same for the current, too. He clarified that Neri did not take any money from anyone and alleged that all the victims' money was with the owner of Dermacare, Chanda.
"Sobrang bait po ni Neri...as in sooobra. Eto yung babaeng kinulong ninyo without bail, habang nakalaya pa yung mga tunay na may kasalanan," he ended his post.
In the comments section, Senator Kiko Pangilinan offered his assistance and clarified that an endorser or talent should not be held accountable for any illegal activities committed by the owner or management.
"Narito kami handang tumulong Chito. Ang product endorser ay isang talent at hindi dapat nananagot sa iligal na gawain ng may ari at management ng isang korporasyon," the senator said.
"Biktima rin si Neri tulad ng ibang nabiktima nung mga estafador sa likod ng kumpanya. Habulin dapat yung mga may ari. Nawa’y madismiss o maibalik ang kaso sa piskalya para sa preliminary investigation at ma lift o ma quash ang arrest warrant," he added.
Other comments pointed out that Neri's case was similar to that of Ricardo Cepeda, who was arrested in October 2023 over syndicated estafa. Ricardo was an endorser of the products of the company that allegedly offered clients an investment scheme. He spent 11 months in jail.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Southern Police District (SPD) confirmed the arrest of an actress and businesswoman with the alias "Erin" for estafa and violation of the securities regulation code.
SPD said Erin, 41, was arrested at a basement convention center located in a mall in Pasay City on Nov. 23, Saturday, at 2:50 p.m.
As of Sept. 18, she's facing 14 counts of violation of Section 28 of Republic Act No. 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code. The section states that no person "shall engage in the business of buying or selling securities in the Philippines as a broker or dealer, or act as a salesman, or an associated person of any broker or dealer unless registered as such with the Commission."
Bail was set at P126,000 for each of the counts, the SPD noted.
Erin is also facing an estafa case in relation to Presidential Decree No. 1689, which increases the penalty for estafa "committed by a syndicate consisting of five or more persons formed with the intention of carrying out the unlawful or illegal act, transaction, enterprise or scheme."
A commitment order has been issued by the court, according to the SPD.
SPD's post came after showbiz insider Ogie Diaz, on the Nov. 24 episode of his Ogie Diaz Showbiz Update YouTube channel, reported the arrest of Neri Naig, the 41-year-old actress and businesswoman wife of Parokya ni Edgar frontman Chito Miranda.
