Anti-Corruption Commission Vows To Help PRRD Jail Persons Behind Onerous Water Deals

President Rodrigo Duterte has enlisted the help of the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission (PACC) in the investigation of the contracts given to the country’s two largest water concessionaires, Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc., which the Chief Executive had denounced for being disadvantageous to the public.

The President recently announced plans to sue and jail the persons behind the 1997 contracts after a Singapore-based arbitration court directed the government to pay billions of pesos to the two water companies for losses over disapproved rate adjustments.

PACC Commissioner Greco Belgica pledged to help assist the President in the investigation “come hell or high water.”

“Sabi po ng Pangulo sa akin, tulungan ko daw po sya sa labang ito. And I will do it 100 percent without reservations, dahil tama po s’ya, niloloko po tayo at pinagnanakawan sa mga kayamanan na bigay ng Diyos sa tao. Ang labang ito ay para sa Pilipino,” Belgica said.

Belgica said he will look at these onerous water deals and help stop these greedy oligarchs that controlled our country for decades.

“Water and land are God-given resources. It should not be fully controlled by any man, business or government at the detriment of the people. They can ask payment for the services they render. But we cannot allow businessmen to hold our waters or natural resources hostage. Hindi kanila ‘yan. Wala pa tayo sa mundo, may tubig at lupa na. Tapos ngayon hawak nila at bibenta satin at gagawin nilang commodity ang tubig na libre binigay ng Diyos sa tao,” he said.

The President has threatened to file charges against those who were involved in the drawing of the water agreements with Manila Water Co. Inc. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. 

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Meanwhile, Palace Spokesman Salvador Panelo stressed that President Duterte has the Constitutional power to “annul or rescind” any contract that is “against the interest of the people and public policy.”

“Lahat ‘yan pwede. Actually, ‘yung batas, ang pangunahing tungkulin ng Pangulo ay pagsilbihan at proteksyunan ang taumbayan,” he said.

Spox Panelo said the Duterte administration was bent on filing criminal, civil and administrative charges against the owners of two water companies and their cohorts in government.

“Under the Constitution, all natural resources of the Philippines, including water, belong to — and are owned by — the State. It is indisputable that water is intended for the use, enjoyment, and welfare of the citizens,” he added.

Manila Water is a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., while businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp. owns a controlling stake in Maynilad.

Source: Manila Times