The partner of actor Ricardo Cepeda, former beauty queen-turned-actor Marina Benipayo, emphasized that they are not a part of any dubious investment scheme.
This comes after Ricardo was detained on suspicion of engaging in alleged syndicated estafa.
The actress stated in a video she uploaded on Monday that they do not participate in the investment program since they lack the necessary finances to begin with.
On October 9, she reacted to Ricardo’s arrest by saying, “Hindi nga kami nag-invest nun kasi hindi kami nag-iinvest, wala kaming pang-invest,” after the organization for whom he served as a brand ambassador “offered an investment scheme.”
“Tsaka hindi po siya signatory, wala po siyang pinirmahan na kahit anong papel dun sa kompanya,” Marina continued.
She continued, “It’s clear why she’s a brand advocate; after all, she wanted to tulungan the Tao in the first place.
“In our lives, Ricardo and I have never imagined that something like that would happen to us. Tao napakabait niya. Let’s go, tutulungan. It’s always been that way for him; his kilala has been tinutulungan. However, lessons were undoubtedly learned.
Additionally, the actress said that their family is “very low-maintenance.”
“Poor me, I did not nagbabakasyon. Malaking bagay na samin, road trip it is. You know, we don’t have fancy clothes. We simply maximize our resources, Marina added.
She pleaded for prayers and thanked those who had shown assistance as they navigated this trying time in their life.
The actress urged folks who do not personally know her boyfriend to avoid from making disparaging remarks or sharing them online.
Please make wise and responsible use of your social media influence, Marina said.
In accordance with Presidential Decree No. 1689, Ricardo was detained last Saturday on suspicion of suspected syndicated estafa, a crime for which there is no provision for bail under Article 315 of the Revised Penal Code.
Syndicated estafa is described by a legal firm as “a form of fraud wherein multiple individuals are deceived by a group or syndicate operating with a common purpose.”
According to reports, these organizations “use false pretenses, misrepresentations, or fraudulent schemes to gain money or property from unsuspecting victims.”
The actor was just serving as a “brand ambassador” for the organization, according to Mark and Joshua De Sequera, Ricardo’s stepsons. They claimed that the business “offered an investment scheme.”
They claimed that the actor was “not aware of nor involved in” the scheme.
Joshua wrote in a post that has since been deleted, “Also, his name appears nowhere on any of the said investment [MOAS] and post-dated checks.”
READ: Actor Ricardo Cepeda’s stepsons defend him against syndicated estafa claims in “Misinformation!”
Ricardo has two children with legendary actress Snooky Serna, with whom he was previously married.
He has been Marina’s partner for a while now.
In movies and television shows like “Doll House,” “Sin Island,” “Felix Manalo,” “My Binondo Girl,” “Ang Dalawang Ikaw,” “Marimar,” “Honesto,” “Mga Lihim ni Urduja,” and “Mula Sa Puso,” the actor has made appearances.
