Kiko Pangilinan, Chito Miranda and Neri Naig. Image: Instagram/@kiko.pangilinan, @mrsnerimiranda
Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan expressed his intent to help his nephew Chito Miranda and the latter’s wife Neri Naig, after the actress was arrested over charges of estafa and several counts of securities violation.
Miranda earlier spoke up on the matter to defend his wife, saying Naig was just an endorser of the dermatological clinic involved and that she was used to persuade investors.
“Narito kami handang tumulong, Chito,” said Pangilinan who was among the celebrities who extended their support to the couple. (We are here to help, Chito.)
Pangilinan, who is a lawyer, then explained, “Ang product endorser ay isang talent at kung walang koneksyon o kinalaman sa ownership or management at operations nung kumpanya na involved sa iligal na operations ay hindi dapat managot sa nasabing iligal na gawain.”
(A product endorser is just a talent, and if they do not have any involvement in the ownership or management and operations of the company in question, then they are not liable for its illegal operations.)
Pangilinan added that he can attest to Naig’s kindness, further noting that the actress apparently fell victim to swindlers.
“Ang dapat habulin dito ay ang may ari at nagpapatakbo ng kumpanya,” Pangilinan stated. “At dagdag pa, dahil walang natanggap na anumang mga notice sina Chito at Neri sa kaso, kwestyonable ang ligalidad ng warrant of arrest na dapat kwestyunin sa Hukuman.”
(The one who must be held accountable is the owner of the company. Additionally, the legality of the arrest warrant must be questioned before the court because Chito and Neri did not receive any notice with regards to the case prior to the arrest.)
Miranda earlier revealed the company’s owner to be Chanda Atienza, who was named by the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Enforcement and Investor Protection Department in an advisory for “enticing the public to invest in the said entity under its ‘Franchise Partner Agreement.’”
Image: Instagram/@kiko.pangilinan
In response to Pangilinan, Miranda expressed his gratitude and said, “Handa naman [si Neri] humarap sa court kung kailangan eh, pero paano niya ide-defend sarili niya eh warrant na agad binigay sa kanya na walang bail.”
The National Capital Region Police Office – Southern Police District (NCRPO-SPD) previously confirmed the arrest of a 41-year-old actress and businesswoman whom they identified as “alias Neri.”
Police said “alias Neri” was arrested at the basement of a convention center in a Pasay City mall on Nov. 23 on the basis of a warrant for 14 counts of violation of Section 28 of Republic Act 8799, issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 111 of Pasay City.