Evelyn Hernandez, a former vice mayor of Valenzuela City, was arrested by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents last Friday in connection with her alleged involvement in a P14 million estafa case.

Hernandez, aged 58, was apprehended during an entrapment operation by the NBI’s Anti-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division when she accepted an envelope containing fifty thousand pesos (Php 50,000) from Andreas Georgious, a British businessman and complainant, at a coffee shop in Cubao.

Georgious has alleged that the former vice mayor deceived him into providing P14 million for an investment in a business that would provide the necessary raw materials for the construction of the Bulacan International Airport, with the expectation of generating P100 million in five years.

Hernandez reportedly claimed that she possesses connections within BM Logistics and San Miguel Corporation, the firms involved in the airport project, which could potentially guarantee the success of the investment.

The British businessman asserted that he hasn’t had any communication from Hernandez since he gave her money in 2021. Furthermore, earlier this year, the former vice mayor allegedly asked Georgious to provide funds for another Cebu-based enterprise.

Hernandez’s recent effort to pressure Georgious into making payments prompted him to file an estafa complaint with the NBI.

“Instead of giving the businessman an update of the investment, Hernandez supposedly asked for more money for a project located in Cebu. The complainant assisted by his lawyer filed a complaint before the NBI,” according to NBI Anti-Organized and Transnational Crime Division chief Atty. Jerome Bomediano.

Hernandez will be charged with estafa and violation of regulations from the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Photo: screengrab from TV Patrol