OMB chief Ricketts pleads not guilty to graft charges

Actor and Optical Media Board (OMB) Chairman Ronaldo "Ronnie" Ricketts and three of his co-accused yesterday pleaded not guilty over a graft case for allegedly releasing in 2010 confiscated pirated digital video discs (DVDs) and video compact discs (VCD).

Ricketts and his co-accused underwent arraignment proceedings yesterday at the Sandiganbayan Fourth Division for violating for violating Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Republic Act 3019).

Those who were arraigned with him were OMB Enforcement and Inspection Division (EID) head Manuel Mangubat, EID investigation agent Joseph Arnaldo, and EID computer operator Glenn Perez.

The Fourth Division set the arraignment after issuing a July 8 resolution that found probable cause in indicting them in the graft case.

The graft court explained in its resolution that it found probable cause after "a judicious, personal, and independent review of the records which include the Ombudsman's joint resolution, the Ombudsman's joint order denying the motion for reconsiderations of the accused, the affidavitcomplaint, the counter-affidavits of the accused, and all other filings and supporting documents or evidence on record..."

On the other hand, Rickett's other co-accused, OMB Executive Director Cyrus Paul Valenzuela, is set to be arraigned separately on July 30.

In a separate July 8 resolution, the Fourth Division found probable cause in indicting him in the graft case and, thus, turned down his motion for judicial determination of probable cause that sought the dismissal of the case.

The graft court pointed out that "there is substantial evidence on record to support a finding of probable cause against the accused-movant."