Binaligtad ng Korte Suprema ang hatol na ‘guilty’ sa kasong graft na inilabas noong 2019 laban sa aktor at dating chairman ng Optical Media Board (OMB) na si Ronnie Ricketts.
Ang hatol na isinapubliko noong Hulyo 28 ay isinulat ni Associate Justice Ricardo R. Rosario.
Ayon sa hatol, nabigong patunayan ng prosekusyon na sangkot si Rickett sa kasong graft na isinampa laban sa kanya.
“The appeal of Ricketts is meritorious. We find that the evidence against him is mere hearsay. The prosecution failed to prove his participation in the crime beyond reasonable doubt, ayon sa hatol.”
Sa kabilang banda ay sinabi ng hatol na ang ang desisyon ng Sandiganbayan laban sa noonay OMB computer operator na si Glenn Perez ay mananatili.
“… the appeal of Perez is without merit. Having been caught red-handedly taking out the seized items without written authorization, Perez’ justifications for his actions are irrelevant since the mere act of taking out and returning the seized items without written authority from the OMB amounts to giving an unwarranted benefit to the owner of the seized items,” saad ng hatol.
“After a judicious examination of the records and submissions of the parties in this case, the Court finds that the facts and evidence presented by the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of Ricketts beyond reasonable doubt. “WHEREFORE, the appeal of RONALD N. RICKETTS is GRANTED, and the Decision dated March 15, 2019 of the Sandiganbayan (Special Fourth Division) in Case No. SB-15-CRM-0132 for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, and its Resolution dated November 15, 2019 denying reconsideration thereof, are AFFIRMED with MODIFICATION.
Accused-appellant RONALD N. RICKETTS is ACQUITTED for failure of the prosecution to prove conspiracy and his guilt of the offense charged beyond reasonable doubt. The Hold Departure Order issued against him is LIFTED and SET ASIDE and his cash bond is RELEASED, subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures .
The Sandiganbayan’s Decision finding accused-appellant GLENN S. PEREZ GUILTY BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT of violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, and sentencing him to suffer the indeterminate PENALTY of imprisonment of six (6) years and one (1) day as minimum and eight (8) years as maximum, with perpetual disqualification from holding public office is AFFIRMED in toto,” ayon pa desisyon ng Korte Suprema. (CARL ANGELO)
