Blogger gets 5 years in jail for P2-M estafa

The Malabon Regional Trial Court (RTC) has slapped self-styled businessman and blogger Xian Gaza with five years and six months in prison after being found guilty of estafa for issuing bouncing checks in the amount of P2 million to a businesswoman.

In a June 21 order, Malabon RTC Branch 120 Judge Maya Joy Guiyab-Camposanto also ordered Gaza to pay P2.18 million to Melissa Cruz, who charged him for violating the antibouncing check law.

Gaza, who rose to internet fame after his billboard stint asking actress Erich Gonzales out for coffee, was allegedly also involved in investment scams.

Cruz and another businessman, Jaime Asuncion, had charged Gaza of issuing them bouncing checks for P2 million and P1 million, respectively, to pay them off for investing in his coffeehouse venture.

Gaza was ordered arrested by the Malabon RTC in August 2017 and on Feb. 27 this year, respectively, due to these cases.—Krixia Subingsubing