Senator Drilon In Hot Water After PRRD Exposed His Involvement With ACCRALaw

President Rodrigo Duterte is determined to unmask ACCRALaw Abogados who provided legal advice to the Ramos administration for the privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).

The President made the statement after hinting that one of ACCRALaw’s senior counsel, Senator Frank Drilon, was involved when the MWSS divided its East and West zones to Maynilad Water Services (currently owned by Salim-Consunji groups) and Manila Water Co. of the Ayala Group.

“Sabi doon, wala na siya sa ACCRA noong panahon na yon. ACCRA is a law office. But I’m not saying that ACCRA is involved. Hindi ko pa nalaman kung sino yung abogado, sisilipin ko muna talaga kung yun ang ano,” said President Duterte referring to the Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz Law Offices (ACCRALaw).

President Duterte revealed that Senator Drilon sent a text message to Executive Secretary Bingbong Medialdea denying he had anything to do with the MWSS privatization.

“He sent a text to Bingbong. Binasa niya kagabi sa akin. Sabi doon, ‘Sabihin mo kay Rody wala na ako sa ACCRA sa panahon na yun’,” revealed President Duterte.

“They entered into a contract. I do not know who was the lawyer kaya ko binuko si Frank. Tapos may text siya, sabi niya, “You tell Rody I’m not a part of it”,” he added.

On Tuesday, President Duterte asked Senator Drilon to “tell the truth” about the alleged irregular water deals.

“I distinctly recall that Senator Drilon said something, ‘Presidente Duterte, do not tinker with that contract because we will end up paying so many billions of pesos.’ Senator Drilon, are you one of those who crafted the contract? I’m asking you.”

Based on ACCRALaw’s website, abogado Eusebio Tan acted as counsel for the privatization of MWSS as its resident specialist in corporate law, banking and finance, investment law, franchising, mergers and acquisitions, government contracts, public-private partnership arrangements, and privatization projects.

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President Duterte has threatened to defy the Singapore arbitration court decision ordering the government to pay PHP 3.4 billion to Maynilad and PHP 7.4 billion to Manila Water for the government’s refusal to increase water rates.

The President is planning to file plunder charges against the owners of Maynilad and Manila Water, as well as slapping them or engaging them in a public shootout, for “screwing” the government with their onerous contracts that forced the government to guarantee their income, cover their losses and income tax payments.

Meanwhile, Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo said the President could opt to rescind the contract under the 1987 Constitution because “his primary duty is to serve and protect his countrymen.”

“So on the basis of that, the President can do things that can either annul (or) rescind contracts done or arranged or agreed against the interest of the people and against public policy,” said Spox Panelo.

Source: Facebook