Calida says he is not backing down amid resignation calls

MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Jose Calida said Thursday he is ready to face head-on the calls for his resignation after it was found that he and his family owned a security agency that has business contracts with several government agencies.

Asked about the mounting calls for his resignation, Calida said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source” that he can “handle all attacks.”

“ Can they handle the counter-attacks?” he added.

The government’s chief lawyer is currently in hot water for being the major stockholder of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. that has contracts with at least seven government agencies.

But Calida reiterated that he has no plans of divesting from Vigilant, where he owns 60 percent of the stocks, while the remaining 40 percent is distributed equally to his wife and three children.

“Under the law, I have choices to either resign or divest,” Calida stressed, adding: “I did not commit graft and corruption. My conscience is clear.”

In the same interview, Calida confirmed Vigilant’s existing multi-million contracts with the National Electrification Authority, National Anti-Poverty Commission, National Economic Development Authority (expired contract), National Parks Development Committee, Department of Justice, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and House of Representatives.

Asked if he thinks that remaining as a stockholder of Vigilant is moral, he replied: “As far as I am concerned, I have not done anything wrong.”

The solicitor general is the government’s top lawyer. According to the  website, among the Office of the Solicitor General’s functions is to “investigate, initiate court action, or in any manner proceed against any person, corporation or firm for the enforcement of any contract, bond, guarantee, mortgage, pledge or other collateral executed in favor of the government.”

Administration critics have raised questions on whether the contracts create a conflict of interest.

But Calida dismissed criticisms and calls for his resignation as mere “rumor-mongering.”

READ: DOJ to look into contracts with Calida security agency

Ombudsman complaint: ‘Big, fat lie’

Calida also slammed the graft and corruption complaint filed against him before the Office of the Ombudsman.

The complaint alleges that Calida is guilty of malversation for having an illicit relationship with an intern at the Office of the Solicitor General and diverting public funds to her. The complainant, Jocelyn Acosta-Nisperos, however, only cited reports for this claim.

Although talk of the supposed relationship had spread online, it remains an unverified rumor.

READ: Calida faces graft raps for owning security agency with government contracts

Calida stressed that the complainant did not attach any evidence to support her claim.

“They are fabricating charges against me, they want to destroy my family,” he added.

“There will be a day of reckoning. I am a lawyer and I know what to do.”

Calida said that he is mulling filing complaints against those “maligning, slandering [and] libeling” him.

Acosta-Nisperos earlier urged Calida to initiate a quo warranto case against Associate Justice Teresita De Castro, which the solicitor general denied due to lack of merit.