By Gabriel Kim Leal
(May 5, 2025) – Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged her colleagues to investigate what she described as questionable joint venture agreements (JVAs) involving PrimeWater, a private water firm owned by the family of former senator Manny Villar.
In Senate Resolution No. 1352 filed on Monday, Hontiveros urged the committee on public services to look into the legality and accountability of JVAs entered into by local water districts with private companies, specifically naming PrimeWater, Manila Water Philippine Ventures, and Metro Pacific Water Investments Corp.
“No one is too big to be investigated. Kailangan nang silipin ang mga water concessionaires na ito dahil masyadong maraming kababayan natin ang uhaw na uhaw na sa maayos na serbisyo,” said Hontiveros, as quoted by the Philippine News Agency.
She pointed to a report by the Commission on Audit in 2019 that flagged several JVAs as vague, overly complicated, and financially disadvantageous.
On Friday, the Malacañang confirmed that the Local Water Utilities Administration already launched a probe into PrimeWater, following mounting complaints from residents over unreliable services and rising rates.
Hontiveros, however, insisted that a separate inquiry is necessary to ensure transparency and broader accountability.
Two members of the Senate are members of the Villar family: Sen. Cynthia Villar and Sen. Mark Villar.
Hontiveros also noted rising complaints in areas serviced by PrimeWater, including Bulacan and Bacolod.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang papatak-patak na serbisyo. Hindi puwedeng palagpasin ang mga kontratang sinlabo ng tubig na lumalabas sa ilang mga kabahayan na biktima ng kapalpakan ng water concessionaires at ng oversight bodies,” added Hontiveros.
The Villars are one of the most powerful families in the country.
Their patriarch, who served as senator from 2001 to 2013, is the richest Filipino with a net worth of $17.2 billion.
(PM)
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