CALIDA’S P150.8 M GOVT. CONTRACTS
CALIDA HAS LEGAL ARGUMENTS AND SO HAVE HIS CRITICS. BUT THE LAW’S COMPLEXITIES ASIDE, THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST MAKES THE DEALS LOOK ‘ABOMINABLE’
Solicitor-General Jose Calida argues that:
Under the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, he has the discretion to resign from the family corporation or to to divest of his interest. He already quit as president and chairman of Vigilant Security Agency. He did not need to divest, he says.
He is not a Cabinet member although the law gives him the status of one and is invited to Cabinet meetings. Under the Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, a Cabinet member can’t have any interest in any contract in which his office intervenes or any business the Constitution prohibits. He also insists his office is not a part of the Department of Justice and he does not head an executive department.
BUT IMPLIEDLY HE ACCEPTED THERE IS CONFLICT OF INTEREST WHEN HE CHOSE TO RESIGN POSITIONS IN THE FAMILY CORPORATION, REQUIRED BY LAW ONLY WHEN CONFLICT OF INTEREST EXISTS.
THE QUESTION CALIDA SHOULD’VE ASKED: COULD HIS FIRM WHICH HE, HIS WIFE AN THREE CHILDREN CONTROL HAVE BAGGED THE MULTIMILLION-PESO
CONTRACTS FROM 14 GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, IF HE WERE NOT THE TRUSTED SOLICITOR GENERAL WHO PLOTTED THE PRESIDENT’S LEGAL MOVES?
Only a few may believe that he lost his personal stake in the company when he gave up its management. He owned 60% while the rest of his family had 10% each.
Many Filipinos know and call out conflict of interest when they see one.