MANILA, Philippines — The woman accused in connection with the controversial Dermacare investment scheme is now back in Philippine custody after an international manhunt that stretched from the Philippines to Malaysia.
Chanda P. Atienza, identified by authorities as the owner and operator of Dermacare – Beyond Skincare Solutions, and Venus Eunizel P. Gonda were arrested at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on September 5 after arriving from Malaysia.
Their arrest comes weeks after the pair was apprehended in Kuala Lumpur, where Atienza had reportedly been the subject of a long-running manhunt over multiple criminal cases linked to Dermacare’s alleged investment activities.
But the scale of the legal trouble facing the two women is far larger than a single case.
38 Arrest Warrants
According to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Atienza and Gonda were arrested based on 38 warrants issued by courts in several parts of the Philippines.
The warrants involve allegations and cases related to:
- Syndicated estafa
- Violations of the Securities Regulation Code
- Swindling
- Violations of the Bouncing Checks Law
Authorities said one warrant against the older sister involves the service of a sentence, while four warrants carry no recommended bail. The remaining warrants have a combined bail amount of approximately P1.967 million.
The warrants were issued by courts in several areas, including Quezon City, Pasay City, Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Isabela, Pampanga, Cebu and Bulacan.
The arrests at NAIA followed a coordinated operation involving the CIDG Anti-Transnational Crime Unit, the PNP Aviation Security Group, the Securities and Exchange Commission, Philippine authorities in Malaysia and international law-enforcement coordination.
From Kuala Lumpur Back to Manila
Atienza and Gonda had previously been apprehended in Kuala Lumpur in August.
Earlier reports said Atienza was arrested on August 21, 2026, following coordination with Malaysian authorities. The arrest drew widespread public attention because of Dermacare’s earlier links to high-profile celebrity endorsers and the criminal complaints that emerged from the alleged investment scheme.
Beauty queen and social media personality Lars Pacheco publicly confirmed Atienza’s arrest in Kuala Lumpur, while businesswoman Freda Luz Singson, who has identified herself as one of the alleged victims, also said she helped efforts that eventually led authorities to the two women.
Reports said the pair was later returned from Malaysia and taken into custody by Philippine authorities upon arrival at NAIA.
How the Alleged Dermacare Investment Scheme Worked
The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused Dermacare and its officers of operating an unauthorized investment scheme.
According to the SEC, the company allegedly offered so-called “franchise partnership agreements” to the public and promised investors guaranteed returns of 12.6 percent every quarter for five years, along with complimentary salon services.
Authorities said Dermacare was registered with the SEC for activities involving beauty, skincare and related services. However, investigators said available company records did not expressly authorize the business to solicit or accept investments from the public.
The SEC filed criminal complaints against Dermacare and several of its officers in 2024 over allegations involving unauthorized securities sales and fraudulent transactions. Atienza and Gonda also face separate cases, including allegations of syndicated estafa.
These remain allegations and criminal cases that must ultimately be resolved through the Philippine justice system.
The Celebrity Connection That Put Dermacare in the Spotlight
The Dermacare controversy became a major national story after celebrities who had served as brand ambassadors became entangled in cases connected to the investment scheme.
Actress-businesswomen Neri Naig-Miranda and Rufa Mae Quinto were previously associated with Dermacare as celebrity ambassadors.
Neri was arrested in November 2024 in connection with allegations involving syndicated estafa and violations of the Securities Regulation Code. However, reports later said the Pasay court found no probable cause in the case against her.
Rufa Mae also faced a warrant and voluntarily surrendered to the NBI in January 2025. Her case was later dismissed, according to subsequent reports.
Both celebrities maintained that they were not the masterminds of the alleged scheme and were themselves caught in the fallout surrounding the Dermacare controversy.
An International Manhunt
The InsiderPH report said the case escalated internationally after Atienza and Gonda left the Philippines.
According to the report, a Batangas court cancelled their passports in February, while international coordination involving Interpol and Malaysian authorities followed as Philippine authorities pursued the two women.
Their eventual arrest in Malaysia and return to the Philippines marked a major development in the long-running Dermacare cases.
The CIDG said the arrest operation reflects continued efforts to track down individuals facing outstanding criminal warrants, particularly in cases that cross national borders.
What Happens Next?
With Atienza and Gonda now in Philippine custody, attention is expected to shift to the numerous criminal cases and warrants they face across the country.
For alleged victims, the arrests could represent a major step forward after years of complaints, investigations and legal proceedings.
But the arrest itself is only the beginning.
The bigger question now is what the courts will ultimately determine — and whether the extensive list of cases tied to the Dermacare controversy will finally bring closure to the investors and other individuals who say they were affected.
After a manhunt that crossed borders and led all the way to Kuala Lumpur, the Dermacare case has returned to Philippine soil — where its biggest legal battle may only now be beginning.
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