THE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a warning against individuals using the name of its chairman, Emilio Aquino. 

The SEC said “certain individuals have been using the name and picture” Aquino in messaging applications such as Viber. 

“The SEC warns the public against entertaining messages purportedly sent by Chairperson Aquino, or any other persons claiming to be employees of, or connected with, the Office of the Chairperson and other units of the commission, to solicit favors,” it said. 

“The officials and employees of the SEC adhere to the highest standards of conduct and ethics for public servants. The Office of the Chairperson will never solicit and accept favors especially from persons supervised and regulated by the commission,” it added. 

The SEC said the public should only transact through the agency’s official communication channels posted on its website. 

“The SEC also encourages the public to report persons representing themselves as employees of, or connected with, the commission and promising preferential treatment or advantages in their transactions with the commission for personal gain,” it also said.