TARLAKENYO (Oct. 28, 2025) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has approved the filing of criminal charges against three separate groups for illegally soliciting investments from the public without the required licenses from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The groups facing charges are Eton Phil Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, SCET Colleens Corporation, and a group led by casino junket operator Hector Aldwin Liao Pantollana. Their respective directors and agents were also indicted for violating the Securities Regulation Code.
According to the SEC, the groups operated outside the regulatory framework designed to protect investors.
Eton Trading was charged after offering investment contracts in frozen meat products, promising monthly profits of 20% to 50%. The SEC had issued a public advisory against the company in February 2023 and a cease and desist order in July of that year.
SCET Colleens and its directors were indicted for 28 counts of fraud, in addition to the unlicensed sale of securities. The SEC alleged the company promised returns of 5% to 8% per month, leading investors to part with their “hard-earned money.”
The Pantollana group was charged with financing its casino junket operations by soliciting public investments through unregistered companies. They allegedly promised annual profits of 60% to 111%.
If found guilty, individuals involved could face fines of up to P5 million, imprisonment of up to 21 years, or both.
The SEC urges the public to verify the legitimacy of any investment offer by checking its website (www.sec.gov.ph) or using the SEC Check App before investing.
