Edu Manzano blasts ‘Ricketts cronies’ for alleged death threats

Edu Manzano. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Actor and media personality Edu Manzano cried foul over death threats he received Monday allegedly from the “cronies” of suspended Optical Media Board chairman Ronnie Ricketts.

Manzano posted a screen grab of the text on his Twitter account which claims that he prodded Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to suspend Optical Media Board chairman Ronnie Ricketts.

So, how many of you received a DEATH THREAT today? Check mine out, clearly written by AMATEURS and IDIOTS. pic.twitter.com/Quklj0uA9S

— Edu Manzano (@RealEduManzano) September 8, 2014

Manzano said on Twitter that the threat was “clearly written by amateurs and idiots.”

He cleared that he has not been involved with the operations of the OMB since he stepped down as chairman in 2009.

The media personality also cited a memo from the Legal Affairs Office of the Office of the President dated July 31, 2013 which said that the appointment of Ricketts has expired last March 2013.

Ricketts was suspended last week by the Office of the Ombudsman because of “neglect of duty” in connection to the conduct of a May 2010 pirated DVD raid in Quiapo, Manila.

The Office of the Ombudsman said in a report that Ricketts authorized the pull-out of the seized 127 boxes and two sacks of pirated Digital Video Discs (DVDs) and Video Compact Disks (VCDs), one unit of Video Recording Human I.P.C. from Sky High Marketing Corporation.

“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.

Aside from Ricketts, four other officials of the OMB were charged by the Ombudsman: 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.

Ricketts will file a motion for reconsideration to challenge the said ruling.

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