Duterte Has Not Stopped Ranting About Water Cncessionaires Maynilad, Manila Water
DUTERTE – On Tuesday, March 10, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte slammed the owners of Manila Water and Maynilad anew.
Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte previously spoke at the Malacañang Palace about the contract of the government and the water concessionaires – Maynilad and Manila Water. He got mad after the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore ordered the Philippine government to pay P7.39 billion to the water concessionaires over its losses.
The 74-year-old chief executive emphasized that the water belongs to the people and the water concessionaires are just distributors. Duterte warned that he would file “economic sabotage” against the people linked in the making of the contract.
In January, President Duterte said he would put the owners of the water companies in jail if they intervene in the case. Amid his warning, the Malacañang Palace assured that they will be observing due process.
On Tuesday, March 10, the president attended the 2020 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities in Pasay City. Based on a report from GMA News, during his speech, he urged the public not to forget about the “disadvantageous” provisions of the water distribution contracts.
“If I do not reach the finish line for one reason or another, kindly do no forget this. [W]ag ninyong bitawan, kung hindi niyo kayang gumalaw, just tanim mo lang dito,” he said.
According to the report, the Davaoeño politician slammed the owners of Manila Water and Maynilad anew for the concession agreements.
“Gusto ninyo ng big fish? Okay, ibigay ko sa inyo ang pinaka malaking buwaya. P*tangina mo si Ayala pati si Pangilinan. Ayan. Bilyon ‘yan,” he said.
Manuel V. Pangilinan is the chairman of Maynilad while Fernando Zobel de Ayala is the chairman of Manila Water.
Based on the report, the president said the deal is not fair for the Philippine government. The money of the Filipino people should not be responsible for the losses of the water distribution companies. He also said that he is open to meeting with the owners of the water companies.
“Distributor lang itong mga p*tang inang ‘to. [D]istributor lang ng tubig pero parang sila na ang may ari ng water works…”
“Sabi ko, mag-areglo tayo. Well, of course, I can. I can talk to you. But it must be in public. Ayaw kong makipag-usap nang ano… but then I cannot assure you that you will not be prosecuted for graft and corruption or plunder. Million eh,” he added.
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