Rufa Mae Couldn’t Help But Be Rufa Mae Amid Her NBI Ordeal
Proving she's a comedian, through and through.
(SPOT.ph) Rufa Mae Quinto found herself embroiled in a legal controversy that would leave most people shaken and silent, but if there's one thing we know about the comedian, it's that she's not most people. Even in the face of serious charges, her humor can't help but assert itself.
ICYMI: Quinto was issued an arrest warrant over her endorsement of skincare brand Dermacare, a company flagged by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for unauthorized investment solicitations. Quinto’s lawyer, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, emphasized that Quinto’s involvement with the company was limited to her role as a brand ambassador.
“My client is a victim,” Reyes said, adding that Quinto had not even received payment for her work, alleging that the checks issued to her by Dermacare had bounced.
Quinto was charged with 14 counts of violations of Section 8 of the Securities Regulation Code, which requires individuals or companies involved in buying or selling investment products to register with the SEC. Each charge equates to P126,000 in bail, bringing it to a total of P1,764,000. She posted bail on January 9.
Former actress and businesswoman Neri Naig-Miranda was also arrested in November 2024 for a similar reason. According to the SEC, she encouraged people not only to try the skincare but also to invest as co-owners or franchisees—without the required registration as a broker or dealer.
While the situation is definitely no laughing matter, Quinto couldn’t help but lighten the mood—whether she meant to or not. Here are five moments that kept those watching chuckling through the chaos.
Also read: What Neri Naig’s Story Can Teach Us About Going Into Investments
Five times Rufa Mae Quinto proves she's a comedian, even in challenging times
1. “Yes, I surrender myself”
This is where it all began. Fresh off a long-haul flight from the United States, Quinto looked unafraid to face the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) or the media when she surrendered on January 8 following the issuance of her arrest warrant.
Sporting black shades and a face mask, she greeted reporters cheerfully: “Hi, welcome to me in the Philippines! Yes, I surrender myself.” Needless to say, this lighthearted opening set the tone for the rest of her voluntary surrender to the NBI.
2. “Pag-iisipan natin kung may isip pa ako”
When asked if she had any plans to file countercharges to Dermacare, Quinto replied, “Pag-iisipan natin, kung may isip pa ako after nito. Isa-isa lang kasi kadarating ko lang from the US. One by one, step by step.”
The reporter then asked, “Ano pong feeling na makakapag-bail na?”
Her response? “Eh di ang sarap. I’m free. The best things in life are free.”
3. “Help, help, hooray”
That day she was detained, Quinto turned to Facebook to thank her supporters in a post.
In her trademark talking style, she wrote, “Thanks for keeping me go go going mga Fress , Family , Friends , Fans. Help help hooray!” You can almost hear the sound of her voice in reading that.
4. “Justice to all mankind because I’m kind”
Quinto was in the middle of an emotional, trying-to-be-inspiring, speech about her physical, mental, and emotional state throughout her whole ordeal at the NBI when she couldn’t help but sneak a funny line in.
“Ngayon, wala tayo dapat ikatakot kasi kung tayo naman ay innocent at walang ginagawa na masama, justice will prevail. Justice to all mankind, because I’m kind. So I hope they will be kind to me.”
The line has since become a viral favorite—even the reporters at the scene can be heard laughing in the background. Same, honestly.
5. “Go, go, go home!”
No Rufa Mae Quinto moment would be complete without a nod to her iconic catchphrase. “Go, go, go,” has had many iterations over the years—“Go, go, goals!” or “Time is go, go, gold!”—but the essence has always been about resilience. In a 2023 interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, she explained its origin: “In life, kailangan mo na lang itawid, ituloy mo lang kung ano ‘yan. Basta alam mong naniniwala kang maganda ito, tama ito, feel mo ’to—go, go, go!”
As expected, she brought that same energy to her current challenge. Her ability to stay positive, even in tough times, comes naturally—she’s a comedian, after all: "Ako ay isang komedyante, hindi ako negosyante, kaya kahit kailan hindi ako magnene-go-go-gosyo."
And when she posted bail? She signed off with: “Naniniwala po ako na justice is very fair. Kaya uuwi na ako. Go go go home!”
Also read: Cunk on Earth With Rufa Mae Quinto? Internet Says Yes
Bonus
As much as her face is everywhere right now, Quinto isn’t the only one winning the Internet. Her legal counsel, Atty. Mary Louise Reyes, has also become a subject of fascination on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
You’ll quickly see why once you watch this serious video of her giving a statement on Quinto’s behalf. Online users are now calling her the Elle Woods of the Philippines—and you know what? We see it.
“We were posting bail kanina maghapon. Almost done na sana kami, biglang sumama ‘yung pakiramdam ni Miss Rufa Mae Quinto. Medyo nag-shoot up ‘yung blood pressure niya probably due to the stress or jetlag or pagod, but I think it’s the stress,” Reyes said.
