No DOJ probe into deals with Calida security firm
MANILA — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra sees no reason to review contracts between the Department of Justice and a security agency owned by Solicitor General Jose Calida that has contracts with several government agencies.
In a message to reporters, Guevarra said: "For now, I can only presume regularity in the performance of official duty."
Asked if the Justice department will look into the said contracts, he said: "Unless there's a challenge to the validity of contracts, there is no need for us to investigate."
According to a report, the Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. has two contracts with the Department of Justice worth P12 million. The agency is owned by the family of Solicitor General Jose Calida, who himself has a 60-percent stake in it.
Calida's wife and three children own 10 percent each. Vigilant has contracts with at least four other government agencies: The National Economic Development Agency, National AntiPoverty Commission, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. and National Parks Development Corp.
Calida, the government's top lawyer, faces allegations of conflict of interest in his security agency having business with government agencies and corporations. The solicitor general has dismissed the claims of conflict of interest as baseless.