Ex-MTRCB chief files raps vs picket group

Former Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) chair Marilen Dinglasan yesterday filed charges of alarm and scandal before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against 21 MTRCB employees for picketing within the agency’s premises last month.

Among those named in the suit are Melvin Andrada, Lorenzo David, Edison de la Cruz, Erlinda dela Cruz, Leopoldo del Mundo, Gloria delos Reyes, Rodelio Esteban, Shirley Gatica, Roberto Jacobe, Jenny Linga, Lolita Lumen, Adelina Magbalon, Rosela Manalaysay, Rory Patrick Mangibin, Aries Mirandilla, Reynaldo Pascualor, Larry Rigor, Raul Villarba, and lawyer Felicitas Alejandro.

Alarm and scandal charges are punishable under Article 155 of the Revised Penal Code.

Dinglasan said she had exercised maximum tolerance over the almost daily demonstrations held by these MTRCB employees at the ground floor of the President Tower Building fronting Timog Avenue, Quezon City. They were calling for her ouster from MTRCB.

However, last Oct. 29, Dinglasan said the picket escalated into a more serious disturbance. The employees still went to work but were accompanied by other persons who were later seen carrying placards and banners bearing the word "Sanlakas."

In her complaint-affidavit, Dinglasan said a 40-strong group led by Mina Macilla, an MTRCB cashier, barged into the corridor leading to her office despite the attempts of security guards to stop them.

"This tumultuous disturbance disrupted the review of the films then being conducted by various MTRCB board members, who had to come out of their review rooms to complain about the loud noises and shouts made by this unruly group and which was disrupting our work," Dinglasan said.