Lawyers of water deals bared soon
“I will reveal who they are so you can ask them, including Ayala and Pangilinan” whose business enterprises bagged the contract to operate and manage the water distribution firms servicing Metro Manila and its environs
President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday night vowed to reveal the names of government lawyers who crafted the contract with water concessionaries Maynilad and Manila Water containing onerous provisions greatly disadvantageous to the government.
The President made the remark in a speech delivered during the 120th year celebration of the Baptist Churches in
the Philippines at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.
According to the President, unmasking the lawyers is important so that the ordinary Filipino on the street can ask them why they allowed the contract despite the numerous violations it contained.
“So that’s what pisses me off. Why? Because the provisions contained in the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act are all there. The government lawyers and everyone involved try to explain their role as only minimal. But I said whether we renew the contracts or not the Filipino people should know who the lawyers are as I reveal their names,” the President said.
“I will reveal who they are so you can ask them, including Ayala and Pangilinan” whose business enterprises bagged the contract to operate and manage the water distribution firms servicing Metro Manila and its environs.
The President also urged the general public to pursue the matter to its logical end should for some reason or other he is unable to complete the inquiry or his term as Chief Executive ends before the case is satisfactorily concluded.
“I say this. If I do not reach the finish line for one reason or another, do not forget this case because the blood of the Filipino, the sweat of the Filipino that made them very, very rich” is involved, he said.
He argued that if one were to view the water distribution contracts alongside the letter of the law, “all the provisions, the prohibited acts in the Anti-Graft Law is there in the contract itself,” the President said.
“So how come the lawyers of this Republic allowed it to happen?” he asked rhetorically of the contracts that also gives him nightmares.
He likewise said a draft contract has already been sent to Maynilad and Manila Water who have the option to accept them or not.
“I have a draft contract prepared and submitted to them. If they do not agree to it, fine. Okay. I will take over and nationalize the water resources of the Philippines,” the chief executive said.
According to him, a rejection from the water concessionaires would mean the filing of charges in court. In the event the draft contract is accepted, “then maybe we have a compromise.”
He also said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu has a hard time making the waters of Manila Bay clean allegedly because the water concessionaries have not built the wastewater facilities that make this possible.
“You must know Secretary Cimatu could never improve the waters reaching the Manila Bay. All he can do is reduce the contamination,” the President of the water concessionaires’ alleged inability or unwillingness to build proper waste water treatment facilities.
“Until now, all the wastewater is discharged every day to the Manila Bay. And that job was supposed to be done by . . . . the one who got the (sewer and sewerage) contracts, which are the two companies” Maynilad and Manila Water, he said.
The President also said the water concessionaires ought to have sleepless nights as government is determined to pursue the matter for as long as he holds the office.
While the idea is unthinkable, he said the Ayala Group who manages Manila Water, for example, should explain and possibly apologize for crafting an obviously lopsided contract. explain till his term ends.
“Now, they are having sleepless nights. You would notice that you can hardly hear a whimper from them,” he said.
“I have nothing against you (the Ayala Group) personally, but you have to explain to the Filipino people why you did it. Just tell the Filipino why,” he quickly added.
According to him, it is the duty of the President to see to it that crimes are prosecuted but acknowledged the process to correct the mistakes done more than 20 years ago will be a long process.
“I have prepared one that has been submitted to the (water concessionaries). It is a long process... (and) I’ll be out in a few months. Please do not abandon this case because I said if you are looking for the biggest — it’s really (these) people who take advantage of their wealth and position,” the President said.
At the event, the President said former presidential Spokesman Harry Roque is one of the lawyers the water concessionaires will face in court.
“I have nothing against you (the Ayala Group) personally, but you have to explain to the Filipino people why you did it. Just tell the Filipino why,” he quickly added.
He also said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu has a hard time making the waters of Manila Bay clean allegedly because the water concessionaries have not built the wastewater facilities that make this possible.