Former Kris Aquino business partner indicted

THE TAGUIG City prosecutor’s office indicted for estafa and fraudulent use of access device Nicardo M. Falcis III, a former business partner of television personality Kristina Bernadette “Kris” C. Aquino.
In a 10-page resolution dated Feb. 11, Assistant State Prosecutor Claire Eufracia P. Pagayanan found probable cause and recommended the filing of charges against Mr. Falcis for estafa through misappropriation and conversion and violation of Section 9(j) of Republic Act No. 8484 or Access Devices Regulation Act of 1998.
Ms. Aquino filed the complaint accusing Mr. Falcis of making unauthorized purchases amounting to P62,784.32 for his personal benefit using the corporate credit card of Kristina C. Aquino (KCAP), where he was the managing director.
The complaint of qualified theft, meanwhile, was dismissed as the evidence presented by Ms. Aquino “failed to establish the existence” of all the elements of crime of qualified theft which include “taking of personal property.”
The Divina Law firm, in a statement posted on Ms. Aquino’s social media account, said: “The truth has finally come out and we are hopeful that all other cases filed against Nicko Falcis will reach the courts and he will be accountable for his crimes.”
On the other hand, Mr. Falcis, in a statement posted on the social media account of his brother Jesus M. Falcis, said the prosecutor’s decision is “absurd and ridiculous when compared to the logic and findings of the Office of the City Prosecutors of Makati and Pasig, who we are grateful for not having buckled under the pressure of an Aquino.”
Ms. Aquino is the daughter of the late President Corazon C. Aquino and sister to former President Benigno S.C. Aquino III.
“The prosecutors of the two cities have emphasized that there was no violation of R.A. 8484 because the credit card I used was in my name and was not stolen, lost, expired, revoked, canceled, suspended, or obtained with intent to defraud. The Taguig prosecutors seem to be lawyering for Kris Aquino…” he said. — Vann Marlo M. Villegas