Faces of the News: Jose Calida

Solicitor General Jose Calida. RODRIGUEZ/Presidential Photos

Under the radar for months, the solicitor general has suddenly stirred up the hornet’s nest. His office has manifested to the Court of Appeals that a lower court had erred in sentencing alleged pork barrel queen Janet Lim-Napoles to life behind bars over the illegal detention of her chief aide-turned-whistleblower, Benhur Luy. He said the evidence presented in court does not support Napoles’ conviction “beyond reasonable doubt.” He cited for instance that Luy, who is a cousin of Napoles, acted like a “free man” who had access to his mobile phone, and joined prayers at a Catholic retreat house while purportedly detained there. Chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo was quick to clear the administration of any hand in Calida’s surprising move. Still, some people are asking: Is there a deal with Napoles?