

MANILA - Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Tuesday slammed Solicitor General Jose Calida anew for allegedly committing conflict of interest through bagging some P358.33 million worth of government contracts in favor of his family's security agency.

In a privilege speech at the Senate, Trillanes, a fierce administration critic, presented several documents from the Securities and Exchange Commission and other government contracts supposedly showing that Calida violated a law that prohibits government officials from engaging in businesses in conflict with their current posts.

He cited a provision of Republic Act 6713, or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

"Base sa ating (Based on our) 1987 Constitution, they shall not 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," Trillanes said.

Trillanes said Calida did not divest from his shares from his family's Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. (VISAI) after his appointment to his post in June 2016.

It was Calida who had sought a check on documents on Trillanes' amnesty, which President Rodrigo Duterte voided through a proclamation on August 31.

The document was made public on Sept. 4, the same day Trillanes, as head of the Senate's civil service committee, began an investigation into the Calida firm's government contracts.

The lawmaker spoke about the matter again on Tuesday, saying it had been overshadowed by the voiding of his amnesty.

Trillanes had just returned home Saturday after 25 days of staying at the Senate as he faced arrest over criminal charges against him revived after his amnesty was nullified.

Court proceedings against him are pending at two branches of the Makati Regional Trial Court for his role in leading uprisings against government in 2003 and 2007.

Just last week, Trillanes was ordered arrested on rebellion charges. He made bail just hours after the court ordered his arrest.

Trillanes said the following are government contracts that Calida's company allegedly won:

Department of Justice - P12.43 million

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation - P182.43 million

National Electrification Administration - P17.91 million

National Anti-Poverty Commission - P2.87 million

National Economic and Development Authority - P6.87 million

House of Representatives - P96.19 million

National Parks and Development Corporation - P39.61 million

TOTAL: P358.33 million

"Talagang pinakyaw niya lahat ng kontrata ng security agencies sa mga ahensya ng gobyerno mula noong naka-puwesto sila," Trillanes said.



(He really got a lot of contracts for their security agency since he was appointed to the post.)

As solicitor general, Calida is mandated to review all contracts that government enters into. Thus, the official is also the one who reviews his company's contracts with government, Trillanes said.

"Talagang maliwanag ang conflict of interest dito," he said.

Calida earlier said that he divested from his company before accepting his appointment as solicitor general.

Trillanes earlier filed a resolution asking the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee to also undertake a probe.

"Hinihintay natin 'yung schedule ng committee hearing nito. So I hope ay mabigyan naman ng atensiyon ng committee chairman, si Senator [Richard] Gordon," he said.

(We are waiting for the schedule of the committee hearing on this. So I hope that the committee chairman, Senator Gordon, can give attention to this.)

Duterte said it was Calida who worked on the details of his Proclamation No. 572 that voided the former Navy lieutenant's amnesty granted him by the Aquino administration in 2011.