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OMB chair Ronnie Ricketts to appeal suspension order over release of seized DVDs


The camp of Optical Media Board (OMB) chairman Ronnie Ricketts is set to file a motion for reconsideration for the Office of the Ombudsman's order to suspend him for the alleged "unjustified" release of seized pirated DVDs and VCDs, hours after these were confiscated.

"We are preparing his motion for reconsideration of the Ombudsman's Resolution," Ricketts' legal counsel, lawyer Ivy Fajardo, said in a text message to GMA News Online.

Fajardo also said Ricketts remains the chairman of the OMB as "the decision is not executory yet as the remedy of the motion for reconsideration is still available."

"We are hoping for the favorable resolution of Mr. Ricketts' motion for reconsideration and pray for the lifting of the order of suspension in due time," she added.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales on August 28 ordered the suspension for six months of Ricketts, OMB 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.

Aside from their suspension for alleged "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.

In an earlier statement, the Ombudsman said it found substantial evidence to hold the top officials administratively liable for "neglect of duty" for allowing the release of confiscated items.
 
Also, the anti-graft body said an investigation showed that on May 27, 2010, agents of the OMB 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.

The confiscated items were brought to the OMB office but were pulled out from the premises on the evening of the same day, 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. — LBG, GMA News

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