ACTOR Luis Philippe Manzano and the Flex Fuel Corporation CEO snubbed anew the National Bureau of Investigation hearing for the fraud and estafa complaint filed by investors of their oil business.

Only the lawyers of Manzano and Flex Fuel CEO Ildelfonso “Bong” Medel Jr. showed up.

According to the victims, Flex Fuel representatives have raised to them the possibility of returning their investments in return for the withdrawal of the complaint.

Why a no-show?

Manzano’s lawyer only appeared during the hearing today, February 20, at the NBI Criminal Investigation Division (CRID) office in Quezon City. 

“Hindi ko alam kasi bakit ganun ‘yung lawyer nila eh hindi naman court itong NBI,” Jinky Sta. Isabel, one of the investors, said.

She said the NBI’s role is simply to investigate and recommend if there is probable cause to file a case in court. 

Bakit po sila naghihingi ng fifteen days, anong reason, patatagalin po ba?” 

The NBI has set a deadline for the submission of all sworn statements on February  21. They are targeting to submit their recommendation before state prosecutors on February 24. 

Willing to settle 

Sta. Isabel revealed that the camp of Flex Fuel, including Manzano, have offered an out-of-court settlement with them. However, the modes of settlement are not yet clear. 

“Napag-usapan sa loob ang sabi po nila ay willing naman daw silang makapag areglo and kaso kailan at magkano wala silang sinasabi,” Sta. Isabel said. 

“Considering that you are offering for an areglo meaning to say you are liable and you are there to pay us investors,” she added.  

As of Monday, February 20, there are 148 complainants who claimed to have invested a total of Php 132,767,158.40. 

Sta. Isabel, who has been tasked to be the spokesperson of the group, said she invested over Php 4 million. 

“I deposited P4 million last October 15 2020. In 2021, nakatanggap ako ng P58,000 and P28,000. That’s the interest or dividend I received from Flex Fuel out of my four million investment,” she said. 

Based on their complaints, the victims said they were convinced to invest in Fuel Flex gas stations upon learning that Manzano was one of the owners.

They were promised a P70,000 monthly income as a dividend for every P990,000 capital. 

Manzano: I’m also a victim

In an affidavit to the NBI, Manzano denied he pocketed the money of investors.

According to media reports, the Kapamilya actor claimed he invested Php 66 million. His name was listed as chairman of the board of the ICM Group of Companies, the parent firm of Flex Fuel, as part of the deal for his large chunk of investments.

He insisted he “never took part in the management of the business.” 

The son of actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos, said he resigned from ICM in February 2022 because his friend Medel failed to disclose “important matters” related to the companies to him.

He said he also sought the help of the NBI after some investors approached him for help. 

Flex Fuel maintains innocence

Flex Fuel lawyers Janine Nicole Ong-Chua and Charles Fernandez denied the oil firm was involved in a scam. 

“As representatives of Flex Fuel we want to assure the public and the stakeholders that Flex Fuels is not involved in any scams and our documents will attest to this,” Ong-Chua said. 

As of the moment we’re still collating all documents but rest assured that our clients will be fully participating in the investigation”

Janine Nicole Ong-Chua

Message to Manzano 

Sta. Isabel and the rest of the complainants said they are willing to drop the case against Manzano and FlexFuel if they will return their money. 

“Kung gusto niyo talaga bayaran o isettle ito tutal nasa inyo naman ‘yung mga pera namin, gawin niyo na po as early (as possible). Kasi kami naman po ilan lang. Kayo na incorporators versus 130 plus na complainants. Saan naman po ‘yung hustisya doon?” she said.  

“Kaya kung ako sa’yo Sir Luis i-settle niyo na po ‘yung mga investors ninyo at makakatulog na po tayo ng mahimbing tutal nakinabang naman po kayo sa pera namin,” Sta. Isabel said.