Arenas saddened over ex-aide's link to scam

MANILA, Philippines – Socialite Rosemarie “Baby” Arenas yesterday said she was upset that her former chief of staff is being accused of involvement in a multi-million-peso jewelry scam victimizing high society clients.

In a statement sent to The STAR, she said she hopes and prays “that justice will be served,” stressing that she did not know anything about the activities of her former aide.

“I am deeply saddened that my former chief of staff, (Ma. Elena) Marilen So-Guisande, has been involved in the alleged jewelry scam involving prominent personalities,” Arenas said.

“Unfortunately, my name has been dragged in this controversy of which I had no personal knowledge nor involvement until reports started appearing in the media,” she added.

Arenas issued the statement after Guisande’s alleged victims filed syndicated estafa charges against her before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Among those claiming to have been victimized by the alleged high society jewelry scam was Gambia’s honorary consul Agnes Huibonhoa.

She and several other complainants who are also in the jewelry business accused Guisande of pawning very expensive jewelry that she had been entrusted to sell as an agent.

Huibonhoa and the other complainants said they lost millions worth of jewelry in the alleged scam which also involves Guisande’s relatives.

Sen. Loren Legarda, who delivered a privilege speech on the issue, has also asked the Senate to investigate the alleged illegal activities of pawnshops and other similar financial institutions.