Arrest Warrant Issued for Rufa Mae Quinto
RUFA MAE QUINTO – The comedienne and celebrity endorser is confirmed to have a warrant of arrest issued against her. She is facing 14 charges of estafa (fraud) filed by 39 individuals. The case is connected to Dermacare, a beauty clinic involved in an alleged investment scam, where Rufa Mae served as an endorser.
To recall, actress-turned-businesswoman Neri Naig Miranda, also a Dermacare endorser, faces similar charges. She was arrested on November 23, 2024, at a mall in Pasay City and is being held at the Pasay City Jail Female Dormitory. Bail for her estafa charges is set at over PHP 1.7 million, but her syndicated estafa charge does not allow bail, leading to her detention.
Rufa Mae, who is currently in the United States, expressed worry over the charges. She explained that her involvement with Dermacare was limited to endorsing their products and denied participating in the alleged scam. She also revealed that the checks she received from Dermacare had bounced and said she never asked for money from the complainants. She believes her role as an endorser and her connection to Dermacare’s owner, Chanda Atienza, led to her being included in the case.
Rufa Mae has been advised to post bail to gain temporary freedom, but the situation is expected to greatly affect her work and personal commitments.
Her close friend and former manager, Boy Abunda, shared his concerns on his show, Fast Talk with Boy Abunda. He raised questions about the responsibilities of endorsers in such cases, pointing out that endorsers usually trust the credibility of the business owners. Abunda suggested that the entertainment industry should review endorsement agreements to clearly outline the responsibilities of endorsers.
He also asked whether endorsers should be held responsible if the businesses they promote fail to deliver on their promises. Abunda encouraged artists and managers to learn from this case to avoid similar problems in the future.
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