Rufa Mae Quinto. Photo: RepublikaNews/Izel Abanilla 

MANILA, Philippines – Comedian Rufa Mae Quinto is now a free woman after posting P1.7 million bail at the Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) on Thursday (January 9) in connection to her alleged investment scam. 

Appearing before the Pasay City Regional Trial Court, Quinto pleaded not guilty to 14 counts of violation of the Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code. Each violation count was bailed for P126,000. 

“Comedienne talaga ako e. Iyun nga ang sabi ko, ako po ay isang komedyante, hindi po ako negosyante. Kaya kahit kailan, hindi po ako nagne-ne-go-go-gosyo, kaya wala po akong negosyo at kinalaman sa ganyan,” Quinto told reporters. 

Upon arriving in the country, Quinto surrendered to authorities and was escorted by operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Wednesday. 

The actress maintains that she was only tapped to be an endorser for a derm clinic and never sought investments for the company. ‘

She expressed willingness to face the complainants to clear her name and urged everyone to go after the owners of the company saying she too was a victim.  

“Wala naman akong kinalaman sa kanila. Hindi ko naman sila na-meet, or nakilala. In fact, ako din, hindi rin nabayaran. Nag-bounce lahat ng cheke. At three months lang po ako na parang ‘yung pumirma ako, tapos first down talbog, second down talbog. So puro bouncing, tapos sabi ‘sorry.’ Kinancel din nila ako as endorser,” Quinto said. 

“So sana ‘yung mga biktima, ‘yuna ang hanapin n’yo ‘yung may-ari, kung sino ‘yung kausap nila. Pangalawa, sana i-highlight n’yo kung sino ang kawatan dito, hindi ‘yong porket artista, ikaw na agad ‘yong laging nasa news. Ibig sabihin kailangang malinaw na hindi lang ako, kundi dapat pati mismo ang may-ari ang dapat habulin,” Quinto said. 

Former actress Neri Naig-Miranda also appeared before the court as Quinto’s co-accused. Accompanied by husband Chito Miranda, the couple refused to make any statement to the media. 

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