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Richmond Mercurio - The Philippine Star
April 8, 2026 | 12:00am
Judge Jose Manuel Lopez of the Bacolod Regional Trial Court Branch 50 said the Yanson siblings – Roy, Ricardo Jr., Ma. Lourdes Celina and Emily – continue to remain abroad.
Supreme Court Public Information Office / released
MANILA, Philippines — A trial court in Negros Occidental has declared four members of the Yanson family “fugitives from justice” for continuing to evade the law despite the issuance of arrest warrants against them.
Judge Jose Manuel Lopez of the Bacolod Regional Trial Court Branch 50 said the Yanson siblings – Roy, Ricardo Jr., Ma. Lourdes Celina and Emily – continue to remain abroad.
“Their intent to evade prosecution is considered as a waiver of their rights to adduce evidence and participate in the criminal case filed against them. They shall lose their standing in the court and shall not be entitled to seek relief until and unless they submit and commit to the jurisdiction of this court,” read the resolution dated March 17, 2026.
The court said the defendants will not be allowed to participate in instant proceedings and seek any judicial relief, and are not entitled to notices until they surrender or are arrested.
The siblings were charged with qualified theft in 2020 for allegedly taking items which they had access to as trustees of the Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC), the largest bus conglomerate in the country.
Records show that Emily, Roy and Ricardo left the Philippines on March 7, 2020.
It said there is no record showing Ma. Lourdes Celina has returned to the country since 2005.
“They stand watching from unknown locations and enjoy all the benefits and reliefs of our rules as though they are present in our jurisdiction. As they watch, it seems that they lie in wait, like spectators to a procedure that has no power nor jurisdiction over them,” the court said.
The ruling is the latest in a long-running management dispute within the YGBC.
The Yansons have been divided into two factions battling for control over the management of the family-owned enterprise.
The company’s daily operations have continued under the management of another sibling, Leo Rey, and their mother Olivia.
