Neri Naig, Chito Miranda gain celebs’ sympathy after controversy

Donnalyn Bartolome (left), Neri Naig with Chito Miranda, and Joross Gamboa | Image: Instagram/@donna, @chitomirandajr, @joross_gamboa

Celebrities have expressed their sympathies to celebrity couple Chito Miranda and Neri Naig, who were recently thrust into the spotlight after the latter was arrested over charges of syndicated estafa and several counts of securities violations.

In the comments section of Miranda’s post vouching for his wife’s innocence, celebrities including actor Joross Gamboa, actress Rita Avila, content creator Donnalyn Bartolome, and actor-coach Anthony Pangilinan, Miranda’s uncle, among others, extended their prayers to the couple. 

“Hang in there, bro. Praying for Neri and the whole family… and the Justice system—or lack thereof—in this country,” said Pangilinan.

“Malalagpasan ninyo ang pagsubok na eto (You will overcome this test), in Jesus Name,” wrote Gamboa.

“Praying with you, Kuya. This is so heartbreaking,” pitched in Bartolome.

“Alam naming mabuting tao si Neri (we know that Neri is a good person),” added Avila.

Other celebrities, including Ogie Alcasid, Patrick Garcia, Sarah Lahbati, Nadine Samonte, Cristine Reyes, Loisa Andalio, Bianca Manalo, and Ara Mina, among others, expressed their support by simply leaving prayer emojis.

Images: Instagram/@chitomirandajr

Naig recently made headlines after showbiz insider Ogie Diaz reported on his vlog that the actress-businesswoman was arrested by police over the weekend.

Soon after, Miranda broke his silence on social media to vouch for his wife’s innocence as he detailed what happened prior and during the arrest, saying Naig was just an endorser of a dermatological clinic and she was just used to persuade investors.

Amid their hope that the case against Naig will be dismissed, considering syndicated estafa is a criminal complaint without bail, the Parokya ni Edgar vocalist also revealed the company’s incorporator to be Chanda Atienza. 

Atienza was recently 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.’”

The National Capital Region Police Office – Southern Police District (NCRPO-SPD) previously confirmed the arrest of a 41-year-old whom they identified as “alias Neri,” saying that she 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.