MANILA, Philippines — Model Joshua de Sequera defended his stepfather Ricardo Cepeda, saying he was just a brand ambassador for a sales company.
Ricardo was arrested and jailed by Quezon City Police on charges of syndicated estafa over the weekend.
He was arrested in a restaurant in Caloocan on the basis of the order issued by Sanches Mira, Cagayan Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Gemma Bucayu-Madrid, and was brought to Camp Karingal for documentation.
In his Facebook account, Joshua said that his stepdad 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.
“The company offered an investment scheme (which he had no knowledge nor participation of) which paid people a big % 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,” he added.
Joshua said that Ricardo’s lawyer can easily prove his innocence by presenting a copy of a Department of Trade and Industry document 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. Request for bail and if ever court date is his biggest hassle because it means he's stuck in detainment even though he's innocent,” Joshua said.
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