The Pasay City Regional Trial Court (RTC) has dismissed the syndicated estafa and Securities Regulation Code violations filed against actress and entrepreneur Neri Naig-Miranda, clearing her of any criminal liability in the Dermacare case.
In a statement released by FLO Attorneys-at-Law, Naig-Miranda’s legal counsel, RTC Branch 112 ruled on February 12, stating that complainants never directly transacted with or handed over money to Naig-Miranda.
“Glaringly, the private complainants never alleged being defrauded by [Miranda]… More mind-boggling is that private complainants never asserted having personally transacted with or handed over money to [Miranda],” the court ruling read.
The court further declared: “Therefore, the evidence presented indeed fails to establish that [Miranda] committed the crime of estafa, more so, syndicated estafa.”
The Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office, upon reinvestigation, found no probable cause to indict Naig-Miranda, leading to the dismissal of the case.
Meanwhile, RTC Branch 111, presided by Judge Gina Bibat-Palamos, also dismissed separate complaints against Naig-Miranda for violation of Republic Act 8799 or the Securities Regulation Code in an order dated January 20.
Atty. Aureli Sinsuat, one of Naig-Miranda’s lawyers, emphasized her innocence in the case and expressed relief over the court’s ruling.
“We thank the courts for clearing the name of Neri Miranda, who has unmistakably been falsely accused of wrongdoing in the Dermacare case,” said Sinsuat.
“We hope that this issue will be put to rest as regards to Neri, so that instrumentalities of the law can focus on bringing the true perpetrators of the Dermacare scam to justice.”
Following the court decision, Chito Miranda, Neri’s husband and frontman of Parokya ni Edgar, took to social media to thank those who supported his wife throughout the legal battle.
“To those who chose to stand up and defend my wife, maraming salamat talaga (thank you very much),” he posted on Instagram.
Naig-Miranda was arrested in November 2024 along with six others over 14 counts of Securities Regulation Code violations in connection with the Dermacare investment scheme.
A warrant of arrest was issued by RTC Branch 111 on November 16, 2024, but she was released on December 4, 2024 after posting bail and securing legal remedies.
