Team DailyPedia
Former beauty queen, model, and actress Marina Benipayo, who is in a relationship with actor Ricardo Cepeda, has firmly refuted any association with a suspected fraudulent investment scheme.
This statement comes in the wake of Ricardo’s apprehension on charges related to alleged syndicated estafa.
In a video message released on October 9, Marina clarified that they had not participated in the said investment scheme due to a lack of financial resources. She emphasized that Ricardo had not signed any documents with the company involved, despite his role as its brand ambassador. Marina explained that Ricardo’s intention as a brand ambassador had been to help people, as conveyed verbally.
Marina also shed light on the modest nature of their family’s lifestyle, noting that they did not indulge in costly vacations and were content with road trips. She called for prayers and expressed gratitude to those who had extended support during this challenging period.
Furthermore, Marina urged individuals who were unfamiliar with Ricardo to refrain from posting negative comments about him on social media and to use such platforms responsibly.
Ricardo Cepeda was arrested on charges of alleged syndicated estafa, a non-bailable offense, as per Presidential Decree No. 1689. Syndicated estafa involves multiple individuals being deceived by a group or syndicate working collectively to acquire money or property through fraudulent means.
According to Mark and Joshua De Sequera, Ricardo’s stepsons, Ricardo had solely served as a brand ambassador for the implicated company and had no awareness of or involvement in the investment scheme. They asserted that Ricardo’s name did not appear on any investment documents or post-dated checks related to the alleged scam.
Ricardo Cepeda is a seasoned actor renowned for his roles in various films and television shows, including ‘Doll House,’ ‘Sin Island,’ ‘Felix Manalo,’ ‘My Binondo Girl,’ ‘Ang Dalawang Ikaw,’ ‘Marimar,’ ‘Honesto,’ ‘Mga Lihim ni Urduja,’ and ‘Mula Sa Puso.’ He was formerly married to actress Snooky Serna and is currently in a long-standing relationship with Marina Benipayo.
