MANILA – A security agency owned by the family of Solicitor General Jose Calida bagged over P300 million worth of contracts from government agencies, according to Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, Inc., where Calida holds a 60 percent share, has closed deals with at least six government agencies amounting to P358.33 million, Trillanes said in a privilege speech.
Even if Calida claimed he already resigned as company president before he was appointed solicitor general on July 1, 2016, there is still conflict of interest as his wife Milagros owns 40 percent of the company’s shares, said the senator.
“Ang hindi niya naiintindihan ang ibig sabihin ng ‘and/or,’” Trillanes said. “Iyong ‘and’ na iyon ay para sa main shareholder at merong posisyon, pero ’pag parehas ka, ‘and’ ka. So, ibig sabihin, kailangan mong mag-resign at mag-divest.”
Citing the 1987 Constitution, Trillanes said the solicitor general cannot directly or indirectly practice any other profession, participate in any business or be financially interested in any contract with or any franchise or special privilege granted by the government.
“Among the duties of a lawyer of a government agency is to review any contract,” the senator said, citing the Administrative Code of 1987. “[In the case of Calida] re-review-hin niya iyong contract ng sarili niyang company, so maliwanag ang conflict ng interest dito.”
Trillanes had filed a resolution before the Senate committee on public accountability of officers and investigations seeking an investigation into the issue.
“Hindi pa natin na–e-exhaust ang lahat ng mga kontratang naisara ni Mr. Calida,” the senator said. “Hinihintay natin ang [schedule] ng committee hearing nito at I hope ay mabigyan ng atensiyon.”/PN
