Good Morning Judge: SolGen on the spot

SOLICITOR GENERAL Jose Calida is on the spot after a retired business woman, Jocelyn Marie Acosta, has sued him in the Office of the Ombudsman for graft, malversation, and misconduct over his alleged failure to divest himself of his majority stake in the Vigilant Investigative and Security Agency, Inc. (VISAI) that has won contracts from government agencies worth more than P150 million. Calida allegedly owns 60 percent of the company while his wife and family members own the rest. In a disclaimer, Calida however, insists that he should not be faulted for conflict of interests as the Vigilante Investigative and Security Agency Inc. won the contract through competitive bidding. He further parried the issue by saying that those who are flogging him just wanted to hit back at him for bringing the quo warranto petition in the Supreme Court that led to the removal of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on May 11. Senator Francis Pangilinan, however, said that Calida should follow Wanda Tulfo Teo who resigned as Secretary of Tourism on May 8 after state auditors questioned the P60 million in advertisements that her department placed with the government-run PTV 4 for a block time program run by her brother Ben Tulfo. Albay Rep. Edsel Lagman, on the other hand, reportedly said that Calida’s resignation from Visai was not enough and that the Solicitor General should not have allowed the company, which remains owned by his family, from entering into government contracts. He said that Calida should have divested himself of his holdings in Visai. Indeed, it would seem that the word “delicadeza” has lost its worth in government service today! Naga residents have been taken aback by reports aired in national TV networks that Naga ranks as number one in the crime rate with a percentage point of 39%. A Naga PNP spokesperson, however, tried to dissuade the report by saying that most of the crimes committed in Naga are minor crimes. Whether the report is correct or not, it is best that our residents should take their own necessary precautions in securing their own households and residences. TRIVIA: Congratulations to former REBAP president Romeo de Las Alas and his spouse for the successful debut of their lovely daughter Thrisia who turned 18 last May 26. The successful debutant’s affair was held at Casa Magdalena 2 with friends and relatives in attendance. Congratulations also to former Provincial Board Member Vicente Bonot and her spouse Lagring for their holding of the 30-day “ Flores de Mayo”, the last day of which was held yesterday, May 30, with lunch offered by the spouses at their residence in Calabanga among the children-participants and their family friends. Belated birthday greetings to my daughter Ma. Angelica, aka Gigi, on the occasion of her Nth birthday anniversary last May 25. She is presently working in Congress as Chief of Staff of Congressman Duavit of Cainta, Rizal. QUOTATION OF THE WEEK: “REDEMPTIVE LOVE CHANGES LIVES AND TRANSFORMS PEOPLE.” MOST REV. MICHAEL CURRY EPISCUPALIAN BISHOP FOR OUR WORD OF LIFE: “LET EVERYTHING THAT HAS BREATH GIVE PRAISE TO THE LORD, HALLELUJAH.” PSALM 150:6