Ronnie Ricketts, 4 others suspended for release of seized DVDs 

The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the suspension of Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Ronnie Ricketts and four other board officials for the alleged release of seized pirated DVDs and VCDs just hours after they were confiscated. 

Aside from their suspension for "neglect of duty," the Ombudsman has also ordered the filing of criminal charges against five officials for violation of Section  3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

 

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales ordered on August 28 the suspension for six months of Ricketts, Executive Director Cyrus Paul Valenzuela, Head of the Enforcement and Inspection Division (EID) Manuel Mangubat, Investigation Agent I Joseph Arnaldo, and Computer Operator II Glenn Perez. 

 

According to a statement, the Ombudsman found substantial evidence to hold the top officials administratively liable for "neglect of duty" for allowing the release of confiscated items from a raid.

 

The Ombudsman said investigation showed that on May 27, 2010, OMB agents raided the Sky High Marketing Corporation located in Quiapo, Manila. 

 

Seized from the raid were 127 boxes and two sacks of pirated DVDs and VCDs, one unit of Video Recording Human I.P.C.  The OMB also arrested three Chinese nationals.

 

The confiscated items were brought to the OMB office but were pulled out from the premises on the same evening, the statement said.

 

"Records show that Ricketts instructed the pull-out of the seized items, without any approved gate pass, using the Isuzu Elf truck owned by the raided establishment Sky High," it added.

 

Quoting the resolution, the statement added that Ricketts also failed to file cases against the suspects.

 

"The unjustified release of the confiscated items compromised the pieces of evidence that could substantiate a case/s against those RA 9239 violators, thereby giving unwarranted benefit to Sky High Marketing Corporation and its officers," the resolution said. —NB, GMA News