Ricardo Cepeda speaks up after arrest in Caloocan for alleged estafa

Ricardo Cepeda has spoken up following his arrest in Caloocan City on Saturday in connection with a syndicated estafa case.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's exclusive report on "24 Oras," Tuesday, the actor, who is currently facing multiple cases, said that he is only an endorser of the company involved 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.

At the time of the arrest, he eventually peacefully joined the police after briefly arguing with them.

"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," Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit (CIDU) Chief PMAJ. Dondon Llapitan said.

CIDU-QCPD cannot tell the amount of the estafa, which has reached over 40 complaints.

"Ito po'y nangyari sa area ng Cagayan sa Sanchez Mira," Llapitan said.

Cepeda said that he is not connected to the company because he only models for its products, which include energy-saving gadgets.

"I am not connected at all sa company. Even sa business registration, my name is not there," he said.

"Wala ako sa running business, anything of the company. Ano, model lang ako about the products," he added.

Aside from the 23 counts of syndicated estafa, Cepeda has another warrant of arrest due to a bouncing check and another three counts of violation of RA No. 8799, or Securities Regulation Code.

"Vinerify po natin 'yung e-warrant po natin at nalaman po natin na marami pa siyang warrant na pending," Llapitan said.

The other warrants of arrest were presented to Cepeda earlier.

Cepeda believes that he will be acquitted in the cases filed against him.

"'Yung ano ko lang is the time. The wasted time that I can't do anything. I cannot work because I'm here trying to prove my innocence," he said.

In a TikTok video, Cepeda's partner, Marina Benipayo, said that her husband has never been involved in any investment and reminded others to be mindful of 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."

—Carby Basina/MGP, GMA Integrated News