By MERLINDA A. PEDROSA
New arrest warrants have been issued against the four Yanson siblings in Bacolod City for alleged qualified theft involving at least P803.47 million in corporate funds.
Norman Golez, legal counsel for Mindanao Star Bus Transport Inc. (MSBTI), said arrest warrants were served against the Yanson siblings — Emily, Ma. Lourdes Celina, Roy, and Ricardo Jr.
Golez held a press conference on Thursday night, July 2, in Negros Occidental’s Talisay City, along with Olivia Yanson, the matriarch of the Yanson family; and her two children, Leo Rey Yanson and Ginnette Dumancas.
Golez stressed that to date, 12 new warrants have been issued and remain outstanding against Yanson 4, who remain at large for several other crimes, such as carnapping, falsification and perjury.
Since Yanson 4 are out of the country, Golez said the Philippine National Police can only implement the arrest warrants within Philippine territory.
He said the warrants can be enforced once they return to the country, arrested or voluntarily surrender to the authorities.
MSBTI filed criminal cases in Pasig City and Bacolod City after discovering that their corporate funds had allegedly been illegally withdrawn from their accounts with Philippine National Bank (PNB).
Golez said the funds were allegedly deposited into Yanson 4’s personal accounts.
“[This happened] during the height of the corporate dispute within the Yanson family in 2019, and as alleged in the MSBTI’s criminal complaints, enabled the Yanson 4 to flee from the Philippines in 2020,” Golez said.
In February 2020, PNB froze MSBTI’s bank accounts, which then became the subject of an interpleader case before the Bacolod Regional Trial Court.
In July 2025, following the court’s recognition of Leo Rey’s group as MSBTI’s lawful board, PNB finally allowed them to access their accounts.
He said the Pasig City Prosecutor’s Office and the Department of Justice found prima facie with reasonable certainty of conviction to indict Yanson 4 for the crime of qualified theft, a non-bailable offense.
Up to court
For her part, Olivia Yanson said she would leave the matter for the courts to decide.
She said Yanson 4 had already given opportunities for forgiveness, but they chose to disregard them.
Dumancas said their family’s problems began seven years ago, and that the only person who could answer for them was their mother.
She said Yanson 4 should ask for forgiveness from their mother.
“Whatever our mother’s decision is, we will obey her. As the mother of our family and the mother of our corporation, she will be the one to decide,” she said.
Leo Rey Yanson also said he would abide by whatever decision their mother makes, adding that they would respect her decision.
Meanwhile, Yanson 4 could not be reached for comment yesterday, as they were out of the country./MAP, WDJ