Ricardo Cepeda has addressed the public after his arrest in Caloocan City on Saturday, which is linked to a syndicated estafa case.
In an exclusive report by Marisol Abdurahman on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the actor, who is currently facing several cases, clarified that he is merely an endorser for the company implicated in the complaint.
“I was shocked because I didn’t, I wasn’t aware na umabot sa may warrants ako. I had heard na may mga scam daw but ‘di ko alam na sinama nila ako,” the 58-year-old actor said.
During the time of his arrest, he eventually cooperated and peacefully complied with the police, albeit having a brief argument with them initially.
“Nagulat rin po siya nung sinilbihan natin siya ng warrant of arrest. Nagko-conduct po siya ng ribbon-cutting sa area. Inaresto po natin siya nung bago palang po magkaroon ribbon cutting,” said Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) Chief PMAJ. Dondon Llapitan.
CIDU-QCPD has been unable to determine the exact amount involved in the estafa cases, which have now accumulated to over 40 complaints.
“Ito po’y nangyari sa area ng Cagayan sa Sanchez Mira,” Llapitan said.
Cepeda clarified that he has no direct connection to the company in question, as he is only involved as a model for its products, particularly energy-saving gadgets.
“I am not connected at all sa company. Even sa business registration, my name is not there,” he said.
Ricardo Cepeda denies involvement in estafa case
“Wala ako sa running business, anything of the company. Ano, model lang ako about the products,” he added.
In addition to the 23 counts of syndicated estafa, Cepeda also faces a warrant of arrest related to a bounced check and three counts of violation of RA No. 8799, also known as the Securities Regulation Code.
Cepeda had been served with the other warrants of arrest earlier.
He remains confident in his eventual acquittal in the cases brought against him.
Marina Benipayo, in a TikTok video, stated that her husband, Cepeda, has never been engaged in any investment schemes and urged people to be cautious with their comments.
“Magpo-post kayo tapos hayaan n’yo lang pagpiyestahan ng mga tao, hindi yata tama ‘yun eh. I would never ever, ever wish that anything like that would happen sa inyo kahit hindi ko kayo kilala,” she said.
“All we need really now are prayers.”
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