(Eagle News) — Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday, May 28, defended Solicitor General Jose Calida from allegations of conflict of interest after the security firm allegedly owned by his wife was reported to have bagged contracts with at least four government agencies after he assumed office in 2016.
According to Roque, “I think mere stock ownership is not prohibited for as long as you declare it in your (Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth).”
According to Roque, while Calida acknowledged he had “stock ownership” in Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency which was reported to have bagged contracts with the National Parks Development Committee (NPDC), the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the National Economic and Development Authority, the Solicitor General is “not exercising any management powers in the company.”
“Binabawian siya ng mga kalaban niya, yung mga nasaktan doon sa ruling ng quo warranto, obvious naman yan,” Roque said, referring to the petition Calida filed that led to the nullification of the appointment of Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice.
Voting 8-6, the SC ruled Sereno did not qualify when she applied for the post in the first place since she lacked integrity, a necessary pre-requisite, when she did not file her complete SALNs during her stint as professor in the University of the Philippines.