(Eagle News)–Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has asked Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar to inhibit herself from any review of the water concession agreements between the government, and Manila Water and Maynilad.
According to Guevarra, this was “if only to dispel any suspicion that the review is not objective and impartial due to an alleged possible conflict of interest.”
Villar is the wife of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, whose family owns Primewater Infrastructure Corporation.
The company is said to replace Manila Water and Maynilad if their contracts are revoked.
“The review process is still ongoing. We hope to finish it before the end of the month,” Guevarra said.
The DOJ has said it found onerous provisions in the water concession agreements, including the provision banning government from setting water rates, and the provision specifying government should indemnify the water concessionaires for losses incurred in the event of such government intervention.
The DOJ said it also found irregular the extension of the contracts way before they were set to lapse in 2022 “irregular.”
Manila Water and Maynilad have said they were willing to renegotiate with government the provisions, but the Palace has said President Rodrigo Duterte has yet to accept or reject their offer.
Duterte has threatened to take over the water services in Metro Manila, as he vowed to take to court the people behind the contracts he said were not in the interest of the people. With a report from Moira Encina
