Sandiganbayan finds ex-OMB chair Ronnie Ricketts guilty of graft

The Sandiganbayan on Friday found former Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Ronnie Ricketts guilty of graft for his mishandling of seized pirated DVDs and VCDs in 2010.

The anti-graft court’s Fourth Division meted the penalty of six to eight years imprisonment, plus the subsidiary punishment of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, against Ricketts, a former actor.

Former Enforcement and Inspection Division (EID) computer operator Glenn Perez will also face the same penalties after the Sandiganbayan convicted him of the same charge.

Ricketts and his co-accused, the court said, gave undue benefit to Sky High Marketing Corporation when the OMB confiscated tons of pirated compact discs in its Quezon City building on May 27, 2010.

That same day, the confiscated items were "released and reloaded into the corporation's vehicle" instead of filing the appropriate charges against the company.

Division chairperson Associate Justice Alex Quiroz allowed Ricketts, who was joined by his wife Mariz, and Perez to appeal the verdict. They can also enjoy their temporary freedoms as long as they post an additional P30,000 bail bond.

Ricketts' counsel, Pedro Tanchuling, urged the Sandiganbayan to defer the promulgation of judgment after he filed an urgent motion to reopen the case on Thursday.

Tanchuling said the defense is willing to put Ricketts to the witness stand and prove his innocence, appealing for at least one hearing date for his testimony to push through.

"The Sandiganbayan may be clarified better if accused Ricketts would take the witness stand. We know remedy is also available to us but we would rather be allowed now. We will ensure this will be done in a one-day hearing," Tanchuling said.

Prosecutor Rayman Rafael opposed the motion, saying the defense camp failed to provide legal grounds that can warrant its approval.

Quiroz said Ricketts had every opportunity to present evidence that can aid his defense, but his lawyer opted otherwise. He also said granting the motion at this stage would be "procedurally improper."

"The court sees no compelling reason why we have to defer the promulgation. The court has given the chance for accused to present his evidence, but movant-accused Ricketts opted not to submit his evidence," Quiroz said.

Ricketts refused to comment on the decision penned by Associate Justice Bayani Jacinto.

On the other hand, the Sandiganbayan acquitted then-EID head Manuel Mangubat and investigation agent Joseph Arnaldo. —KBK, GMA News