'(Cepeda's) lawyer can easily prove his innocence by presenting a copy of DTI showing the company is a sole proprietorship and his name is not there. Also, his name appears nowhere on any of the said investment MOAs and post-dated checks.
AFTER being arrested in Caloocan City for multiple counts of syndicated estafa, actor Ricardo Cepeda maintained innocence over the allegations even as he insisted that he has nothing to do with the illegal activities of the company which sells energy-saving gadgets.
According to 57-year-old Cepeda (Richard Cesar Go in real life), he was merely hired as brand ambassador and commercial endorser of the products being sold by the unnamed business firm.
“I am not connected at all to the company. Even as a business registration, my names are not there,” Cepeda said in a television interview.
He was attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a restobar in Maypajo, Caloocan City when the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) operatives served him a warrant of arrest for a charge of syndicated estafa under Article 314 of the Revised Penal Code in relation to Presidential Decree 1689.
The warrant was issued by a court in Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
Cepeda was shocked when police told him he was being arrested for a case in which he was not aware he was among the respondents. The actor, however, admitted he was aware about the scandal that has been circulated via social media.
“I had heard there was a scandal but I did not know I was included,” a frustrated Cepeda was quoted as saying.
“I cannot work because I am here trying to prove my innocence,” Cepeda said.
Stepson in Defense
The actor’s stepson, Joshua de Sequera, shared on his social media account his mugshots and claimed that Ricardo was "wrongfully accused."
"Please spread the word. My Father Richard Cepeda Go was wrongfully accused. He was simply the product endorser of a sales company. They used the title Brand Ambassador (which many companies also use)," he wrote on Facebook.
Joshua also briefly explained what allegedly went wrong with the company Ricardo was endorsing.
"The company offered an investment scheme (which he had no knowledge nor participation of) which paid people a big percent profit monthly. Guaranteed with advanced payouts in monthly postdated checks. Eventually the checks started bouncing so the investors filed estafa cases against everyone who they thought was part of the company. Including Ricardo -who was just the celebrity model," his caption further read.
Imminent Acquittal
According to Joshua, his stepfather will be able to prove his innocence.
"His lawyer can easily prove his innocence by presenting a copy of DTI showing the company is a sole proprietorship and his name is not there. Also his name appears nowhere on any of the said investment MOAs and post-dated checks," he wrote.
As syndicated estafa cases are non-bailable Ricardo is still detained at Camp Karingal in Quezon City.
"Request for bail and if ever a court date is his biggest hassle because it means he's stuck in detainment even though he's innocent," Joshua added.
He also requested for people to be mindful of what they say about the matter.
"I have seen a lot of hateful comments about this. IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT REALLY HAPPENED KEEP YOUR COMMENTS TO YOURSELF," his post ended.
Bankable Actor
Ricardo Cepeda is an actor who has been working in Philippine showbiz since the '90s. He is the longtime partner of model and actress Marina Benipayo, and the ex-husband of actress Snooky Serna.
Ricardo Cepeda has starred in several Kapuso shows such as 'Arabella,' 'Ang Dalawang Ikaw' and 'Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss.'
One of his most recent Kapuso appearances was in 'Mga Lihim ni Urduja,' where he starred opposite his real-life partner Marina Benipayo and Kapuso actress Kylie Padilla. He was also part of the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean drama series 'Descendants of the Sun.'
According to his stepson Joshua, Ricardo is still detained at Camp Karingal in Quezon City as syndicated estafa cases are non-bailable.
NO CHOICE. While he remains confident of securing an acquittal, Ricardo Cepeda said he will have to get used to his new environment until after the court clears him of the non-bailable charges filed against him.
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