MANILA – Solicitor General Jose Calida’s petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the Senate investigation into government contracts entered into by his security agency “has no legal basis,” said Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV.
Calida and his family filed a 39-page petition asking the Supreme Court to stop the legislative inquiry into his firm – Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, Inc.
Trillanes earlier sent the Calidas an invitation to appear at a public hearing supposedly scheduled on Aug. 16.
But Calida said Trillanes does not have the legal authority “to conduct investigations about the accountability of specific public officers with a prosecutorial outlook.”
On Friday, Trillanes reminded Calida that he is “not a sacred cow” and does not have immunity from congressional probes.
“Thus, his petition for TRO has no legal basis. Mark me, no matter where he hides, Mr. Calida’s corrupt practices will soon be exposed. Tuloy ang imbestigasyon!” the former Navy officer said.
Last May, Calida was under fire after allegations surfaced that he still owns 60 percent of Vigilant shares.
His security firm reportedly bagged P150 million in contracts from the Department of Justice, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., National Anti-Poverty Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority.
Calida denied any conflict of interest, saying that he resigned as chairman and president of Vigilant before his appointment as solicitor general on July 1, 2016./PN
