Duterte slams water concessionaires anew

President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday urged the public to not forget about the allegedly disadvantageous water concession agreements, which he wanted amended or cancelled.

"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 told local executives who attended the 2020 General Assembly of the League of Municipalities in Pasay City.

The president slammed the owners of Maynilad and Manila Water anew for provisions in the concession deals that were allegedly onerous and disadvantageous to the government and the public.

"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.

Fernando Zobel de Ayala is the chairman of Manila Water while Manuel V. Pangilinan is the chairman of Maynilad.

According to Duterte, a liability clause in the agreement will hold the government responsible if it interferes with the implementation of water rates and the government will also compensate the companies for losses incurred.

"Distributor lang itong mga p*tang inang 'to. [D]istributor lang ng tubig pero parang sila na ang may ari ng water works," Duterte said.

Malacañang has said it would propose a new draft agreement, and that the concessionaires can take it or leave it.

Duterte said he was open to a meeting with the concessionaires to settle the matter.

He clarified however that a settlement does not prevent government from filing charges against the water companies.

“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,” he said.

“But then I cannot assure you that you will not be prosecuted for graft and corruption or plunder. Million eh.”

He said a government official should not “keep quiet” about possible violations of law.

“You are not supposed to keep quiet, shut your mouth when you say something. You just have to go there investigate and initiate the case. Otherwise, that is dereliction of duty,” Duterte said. — LDF/BAP, GMA News