By Jun David
The National Bureau of Investigation has filed criminal charges against a woman found illegally operating a training center for aesthetic and dermatological procedures.
The center is believed to have graduated hundreds of students who reportedly shelled out an average of P100,000 as fee for a few hours of clinical lectures and practical training.
Wenie Garupa Argonza, 38, was charged with violation of the Education Act of 1982 after being arrested by NBI operatives during an entrapment operation at her Argonza Aesthetic and Dermo-pigmentation Academy at Unit 102 Makati Terraces Condominium, Tejeros, Makati on August 12.
Argonza posted P12,000 in bail for her temporary liberty. She could not be reached for comment at posting time.
Also arrested during the NBI operation was Glenmae T. Bobier, an assistant of Argonza, who received the P55,000 marked money as training fee from an agent, who posed as a enrollee for “laser science” training.
Bobier’s case will be subjected to preliminary investigation, the bureau said.
The arrests sent shockwaves through the country’s aesthetics industry, as the school’s operations could jeopardize the safety of patients and clients undergoing treatment from unskilled and ill-trained graduates of Argonza’s uncertified training program.
The law enforcement operation is also expected to draw the attention of the Philippine Medical Association and the Philippine Dermatological Society, following claims that fractional micro-needling and laser skin resurfacing were among the training modules offered.
Videos allegedly showing Argonza administering mesotherapy and “lipodissolve” injections have reportedly been submitted to the NBI by an informant of the agency.
These dermatological treatments are intricate medical procedures that only licensed medical specialists are authorized to do.
Meanwhile, information about Argonza’s arrest went viral on the social media. Students who underwent training have started to conduct consultations to discuss what legal steps to take against her.
In a resolution filed before the Metropolitan Trial Court of Makati City, Assistant City Prosecutor Cherrylin N. Go Ortiz said she found probable cause to charge Argonza with violation of Section 68, in relation to Section 28 of the Education Act of 1982.
“The allegations of public complainants are clear and categorical that Argonza was engaged in giving lectures, hands-on exercises and training on how to perform hydrafacial, oxyfacial, dermabrasion, chemical peeling and the use of Hifu machine without being registered with the Unified TVET Program Registration and Accreditation System (UTPRAS) of TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority),” said Go-Ortiz.
Court records showed that Argonza and Bobier were apprehended shortly after an NBI poseur agent completed the payment of P100,000 enrollment fee for his training.
Agonza, the resolution disclosed, personally conducted lectures and hands-on exercises on how to perform hydrafacial, oxyfacial, dermabrasion, chemical peeling and the use of Hifu machine.