JUSTICE Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Monday reiterated that the government is still open to discuss with water concessionaires Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. the proposed amendments in their concession contracts.
Guevarra made the statement in response to Sen. Francis Pangilinan’s warning that it is a crime to force the water concessionaires to accept the contract proposed by the government.
Pangilinan also warned that the arm-twisting being done by the government against the water concessionaires will likely drive away investments that create jobs.
“These proposed new contracts will not be absolutely imposed upon the water concessionaires, as they will be given a reasonable opportunity to comment on the proposed amendments in an open and public discussion of the issues,” Guevarra said.
The DOJ chief also clarified that President Duterte’s threat of possible criminal prosecution was directed, not at the investors, but the government officials and officers of the water concessionaires who crafted, entered into, and implemented the highly disadvantageous contracts.
“These proposed new contracts intend to remove all illegal provisions and foster greater transparency and equitability in rate-setting, and should, therefore, provide a more stable and comfortable environment for investors,” Guevarra said.
He stressed that government’s takeover or nationalization of water distribution as authorized under Sections 17 and 18, Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, is the government’s last option.
Duterte’s tirade
Earlier, Duterte threatened to file a case of economic sabotage against the two water firms due to the “onerous” 1997 contracts with the government.
Duterte made the remark after Guevarra disclosed that the Justice department found the extension of these contracts to 2037 irregular, considering that the extension was granted 12 to 13 years before the original expiration of the 25-year concession agreements in 2022.
Guevarra said among the provisions in the old contracts that should be struck down for being onerous include the prohibition on the government’s interference in the rate-setting mechanism of the two water firms and the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS).
Guevarra said it may take six months to finalize the water distribution deal with Manila Water and Maynilad.
10 comments
So now we know that Duterte’s tirades are just for pogi points to a public hostile towards big business, whether deservedly or not. When reality sinks in, the things he threatens are sometimes illegal. This is so surreal. But not surprising. The issue of water service is something the average Pinoy can understand more strongly (albeit inaccurately at times) than something as ‘boring’ as investor confidence.
Disagree with you boi. Di ako kumbinsido na mali lahat su Duterte. Abangan muna natin yung iba pang pag uusapan nila
Ahahaha whats worse? Blatantly threatening to file charges for what is deemed as a crime or openly protecting the people behind the crime? This is the oldest trick in the book, create the illusion that the criminal is the victim and that all efforts against them are just for harassment. Oh c’mmon another keyboard warrior but in real life can’t and don’t have the guts for a debate bcoz he wouldn’t have anything to back anything ahahah
korek jmes its too early 4 ngtve cmmnt in d 1st plce isa rn nmn tyo s mkknbng jst incse mbgo ung cntrct fvor stng mga flpino.. at ds point wla n munang kontra mnsn kc ang tao pg afford nila ang lht ng bgay hnd nila nkkita ung iba ntng kbbyan n isng khig isng tuka mga pmilyng naghhrap, mga sumshod ng kkrmpot wg nmn lagi klabnin ang atng presdente hnd nga yn nagwa ni pinoy.. bitter k nmn msydo mr. atienza 😒😦
Simple lang yan sa mga taong ayaw si duterte. Magsilayas kayo ng pilipinas!!!
Ung mga nagcomment dito. Mukhang di binasa ung article. Magbasa po muna bago mag comment. Hindi ung headline lng binabasa nyo tapos comment agad.
maliwanag pa sa buwan na itong mga oligarc ay gustong i-monopolised lahat ng big business sa pilipinas kasabwat ang ating presidente at ibang lider pero si duterte ang hindi nila nakitang biglang sumulpot buti nga sa inyo.
wala ba tayong anti-trust law kagaya ng sa US para may free competition at protektado ang mga pilipino,masyado nang untouchable itong mga oligarc kanila na yung telcos,water companies,real estate,media,parang daig pa nila ang gobyerno sa kanilang spectrum of power
may problem nga dito sa kalibo international airport involving San Miguel and the LGU they like to buy all the irrigated land which for generations provide food for Aklan and families of the owners for only 600 per s/meter using the emminent domain doctrine but it is so oppressing given that land here is minimum of 3,000 per square meter,you cannot buy a new land and build a decent house for that price plus taxes they continuosly adding up every year
the Philippines now is only for the oligarc if you have a land passed for generations they buy it for the cheapest price using the government and they made you a squatter in your own place because money will eventually lost but if you have irrigated farmland you will have food for generations to come,Mr. President please rescue us like you did in boracay this contract in the kalibo international airport goes back to the days of pinoy and his cohorts Abaya