BY JOEL CALAMBA ESCOL, Managing Editor
MANILA, Philippines – Actress-turned politician Vilma Santos-Recto went emotional when asked by Boy Abunda on her son’s involvement in the alleged investment scam.
Santos said she knew her son as a generous man and not a scammer. “Ang anak ko tumutulong, hindi nangloloko. Kaya yung mga nagsasalita, naghuhusga sa kanya, dahan-dahan lang kayo. Walang ibang nakakakilala sa anak ko kundi ako.”
The veteran actress revealed her emotion and shed tears during the television episode of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” now aired by GMA network.
“Diyos ko. Oh Lord, oh my God… At this point, it’s just asking for guidance not even for myself but for my children. Ako na lang. Huwag ang anak ko, ako na lang,” Vilma Santos said.
SUBPOENA ISSUED
Actor Luis Manzano was issued a subpoena by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in relation to his reported involvement in the alleged Flex Fuel investment scam.
It was the Criminal Intelligence Division of the NBI who issued the said subpoena. This after, fifteen overseas Filipino workers (OFW) have formally filed their complaints to the NBI office in Manila. But it was learned that there were 40 complainants in the country.
According to a report aired by GMA News, a complainant named “Leo” invested over a million after they saw the actor act as the speaker and presented the marketing plan of Flex Fuel company.
“Pumasok po sa aming Zoom meeting si Luis Manzano at nagpakilalang owner at chairman ng Flex Fuel. Ito raw po ay isang lifetime business, pandemic business kaya po napakaganda po. Ako po ay nagloan sa bangko upang mapadala po sa Flex Fuel para po sa investment. At ng April 22, 2022, makalipas ang anim na buwan, wala pa rin po silang natatayo na gasoline station. Kahit isa,” Leo told the media in an interview.
Earlier, another complainant Jinky Sta. Isabel claimed she invested P3.9 million. But Sta Isabel said they are willing to drop their case if Flex Fuel pays them back their supposed investments.
“Ibalik niya ang pera namin. Kahit principal, ‘yung buong pera lang namin na dineposit sa account niya. Kahit wala na ‘yung kinita, wala na ‘yung interes. Hindi na kami magsasampa ng kaso,” Sta. Isabel stressed.
The management of Flex Fuel has already denied the scam allegations from the complainants but explained the company was hit and affected by the Covid-19 pandemic which they have no control over.
