MANILA, Philippines — January 24, 2026 — Former PBA player Edson “Bonbon” Batiller and his wife Razzel Kate are facing multiple complaints after being accused of scamming an online luxury items buyer of more than ₱6 million worth of counterfeit goods, including fake Rolex watches and Hermes bags.

Businesswoman Judy Ann Valderosa appeared on Raffy Tulfo in Action (RTIA) to file her complaint, alleging that the couple sold her a Rolex watch worth ₱1.4 million and several Hermes bags that turned out to be fake. 

Valderosa said she initially trusted the Batillers, who became her customers five years ago, because Edson introduced himself as a PBA player while Razzel claimed to be the daughter of a “Deputy Commissioner.”

According to Valderosa, the couple befriended her and gained her trust over two years before allegedly starting their fraudulent scheme. When she discovered the items were counterfeit, she demanded repayment. The Batillers issued checks, but these later bounced. For nine months, Valderosa said she tried to recover her money but was ignored, prompting her to seek help from RTIA.

In response, Razzel Kate sent a message to RTIA claiming they offered a parcel of land in Batangas as payment. However, Valderosa revealed she spent ₱50,000 processing documents only to find out the property was not under the couple’s name. 

Worse, the land title was a Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) from the Department of Agrarian Reform, which is strictly for farmers and cannot be sold.

Senator Raffy Tulfo warned that the Batillers could face multiple charges, including estafa, falsification of documents, and violation of Republic Act 8293 or the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines for selling counterfeit luxury items. “Patong-patong na kaso ang maaari nilang kaharapin,” Tulfo said, assuring Valderosa that RTIA will help her file the necessary complaints.

Tulfo also advised Valderosa to partner with experts in authenticating luxury goods to avoid falling victim to similar scams in the future, a recommendation she agreed to follow. 

Popularity Isn’t a Warranty

One side understands why people feel safer dealing with familiar names. A public profile creates comfort. It lowers suspicion. It feels like social proof doing the work for you.

The other side pushes back hard. Recognition is not verification. Fame does not replace authentication, receipts, or independent checks. In high-value deals, trust without proof becomes exposure.

The case shows how popularity can fast-track confidence and quietly remove safeguards. Not because people are careless, but because familiarity feels like safety. And that assumption is often where damage begins.

In the end, credibility isn’t borrowed from status. It’s earned through documents, transparency, and traceable facts. Anything less is a gamble dressed up as trust.

Image from Raffy Tulfo in Action