More opposition lawmakers have joined the calls for President Rodrigo Duterte to fire Solicitor General Jose Calida.
The official was in the hot seat after it was revealed that a security firm owned by his family has bagged multi-million peso deals from several government agencies.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin said President Duterte should dismiss erring officials and file charges against them.
鈥淭he question here is Calida securing the government, or securing the future of his family?鈥� And I think the latter form of securing is manifested here,鈥� Villarin said.
Rep. Edcel Lagman said聽the corporate officials and stockholders of Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency Inc. (VISAI) were all members of Calida鈥檚 family.
鈥淗aving financial interest, intervention and/or conflict of interest in government contracts are prohibited under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees,鈥� he pointed out.
Lagman said a mere resignation is not enough. 鈥淐alida should have disallowed his family corporation from securing government contracts where his influence could have clinched the deals,鈥� he stressed.
Asked to comment on Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque鈥檚 defense that Calida is 鈥渘ot exercising any management powers in the company,鈥� Lagman said Roque was 鈥渕istaken.鈥�
搁贰础顿:听Palace: No conflict of interest in Calida security firm鈥檚 P150-M deals with gov鈥檛
Calida earlier said he would answer the allegations against him in the proper forum.
搁贰础顿:听Calida mum on corruption allegations
Meanwhile, Magdalo Rep. Gary Alejano said this is a clear case of 鈥渃onflict of interest.鈥�
鈥淭he issue here is if your family has a business with government agencies, would you not benefit from it?鈥� he asked in Filipino.
Villarin added that the company remains a 鈥渃onjugal property鈥澛燼nd so 鈥渨alang lusot dito si (there鈥檚 no excuse for) Calida.鈥�
Opposition Senators Francis Pangilinan and Risa Hontiveros have earlier dared Calida to step down.
READ: Pangilinan wants Calida to resign
READ: Hontiveros urges Duterte to fire Calida
Calida鈥檚 security firm,聽Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, reportedly bagged more than P150.8 million worth of government contracts from six agencies, including the Department of Justice, National Economic and Development Authority, House of Representatives and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. /ee