Sandiganbayan ‘sekyu’ faces probe for soliciting from Napoles’ lawyer

A security guard of the anti-graft court is facing an investigation for allegedly soliciting money from the lawyer of businesswoman and alleged pork barrel mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles.

Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje-Tang received a letter detailing the actions of a Sandiganbayan security guard.

According to the letter written by two other security guards at the Sandiganbayan, Security Guard Ronald Allan R. Gole Cruz solicited P20,000 from lawyer Stephen David, supposedly for a Christmas party.

Gole Cruz is being investigated and his shift has been changed, sources at the anti-graft court said.

In a letter given to Cabotaje-Tang and Associate Justice Samuel Martires, head of the anti-graft court’s committee on safety and security, two security guards said they didn’t want the actions of one “rotten tomato” to affect the whole security force of the Sandiganbayan.

“We are bringing this matter to your attention because we know that it is our moral obligation to do so, and matters like this could destroy the reputation not only of our division, but also the integrity of the Sandiganbayan that we serve.

"We are praying that this matter be given due course for we cannot afford to let one rotten tomato destroy the image of the entire security force,” read the letter signed by Security Guards Darwin Trinidad and Rodelio Lalongisip.

In the letter, Trinidad and Lalongisip said Gole Cruz first asked a cameraman to deliver a solicitation letter to Atty. David in the men’s comfort room. David then allegedly gave Gole Cruz P20,000 to be spent for a Christmas Party.

“Based on the information provided by some security personnel, SG1 Gole Cruz allegedly received the amount of Php 20,000 from Atty. Stephen David after the scheduled hearing of Sen. Estrada and Mrs. Napoles at the Sandiganbayan Fifth division on December 2, 2014,” the letter said.

But Trinidad and Lalongisip belied Gole Cruz’ claim that there was a scheduled party for the security staff of the anti graft court.

“Madam, please be informed that the security force has not planned a Christmas party this year. In addition to that, we know for a fact that soliciting and/or accepting pricz, gift or favor of any kind is strictly prohibited, [and the division] has never allowed the conduct of such illegal activities especially if it involves party litigants and/or their counsels,” the letter said. — Paticia Denise Chiu/LBG, GMA News