Annabelle Rama files “estafa” counter-charge against cousin

CEBU, Philippines - In reply to the charges filed against her, celebrity talent manager, Annabelle Rama Gutierrez filed counter charges for Estafa against her first degree cousin, Jose Vicente Rama del Prado Jr.

Rama-Gutierrez, who recently ran in the May elections for a congressional seat representing the north district of Cebu city, filed a criminal complaint before the Office of the City Prosecutor in Quezon City for estafa against del Prado.

This after del Prado filed a case against her, also for estafa, and a violation of Batas Pambansa Bilang 22 otherwise known as Anti-Bouncing Check Law before the Cebu City Prosecutor’s Office.

Rama-Gutierrez’ checks, worth P1.5 million, allegedly bounced after it was presented in the bank last June, since the account was reportedly already closed.

After the complaint was filed, Rama-Gutierrez filed a counter-affidavit where she denied the accusations of del Prado and asked for the dismissal of the case for lack of merit.

In her complaint-affidavit, Rama-Gutierrez alleged that on January 27, 2013, while she was in their residence at White Plains, Quezon City, the respondent arrived and informed her of a business venture in Bohol for the construction of apartelles.

“That he said he has a prospective investor for that, however, to be able to entice him to invest he should show that other people had already put money on said project to establish its viability,” the complaint stated.

After which, Rama- Gutierrez said she let del Prado borrow P1.5 million where she issued “show checks”, assuring that it will be returned to her.

However, she said that after a number of days, her checks were not returned by del Prado.

Rama- Gutierrez explained that she had no time to demand the check from del Prado since she was busy preparing for the May 13 election.

Aside from not returning the checks, she added that she learned that the respondent have also rediscounted the checks.

“That I likewise learned that respondent was rediscounting my checks, thereby making money out of them and his clients will soon deposit them to my prejudice. Fear that this would happen, I decided to close my bank accounts,” the complaint showed.

Rama-Gutierrez said she did not want to file charges against a relative. But with del Prado filing a complaint against her, Rama- Gutierrez said she had no choice but to file an official complaint on the unreturned checks.  (FREEMAN)