The Office of the Ombudsman will conduct a preliminary investigation into graft and administrative complaints filed against the Villars in connection with issues about the water supply service of their company PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation (PWIC), which had entered into joint venture agreements with several local water districts.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said named in the complaints filed by Ombudsman probers were PWIC’s Senators Mark and Camille Villar, their parents, former Senate President Manny Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar, Manuel Paolo Villar, PWIC President Fe Rebancos, and local water district officials.
“[PWIC] has reportedly failed to supply uninterrupted water resources and has instead provided poor drinking water standards, among other complaints against it. The public has likewise felt this,” Clavano said in a press briefing.
He also said the Office of the Ombudsman has found the agreements of PWIC with the local water districts to be allegedly grossly disadvantageous to the local water districts.
Asked about this development possibly being seen as politically motivated, since Mark and Camille are part of the Senate minority, Clavano said the matter has been under investigation for quite some time.
He said that when he joined the Office of the Ombudsman in October last year, complaints were filed against PWIC.
The public has also been complaining about its service, he noted.
Clavano said the complaints stem from an investigation into the joint venture agreements (JVAs) between PrimeWater and local water districts.
He said the Ombudsman received a report from the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel stating that from 2015 to 2022, PrimeWater entered into JVAs with 75 water districts for the rehabilitation, expansion, improvement, and operation of their water supply.
But 19 water districts issued notices of pre-termination due to PrimeWater’s alleged inability to meet its obligations, he said.
He said the alleged deficient services reportedly took place during the time of Mark Villar as Public Works Secretary and Local Water Utilities Administration Board of Trustees member.
“The Office of the Ombudsman has found the agreements of the PWIC with the local water districts grossly disadvantageous with the local water districts,” he said.
Clavano also said the Commission on Audit has issued notices of charge for three local water districts: Quezon Water District, Trece Martires Water District, and San Pedro Laguna Water District.
The COA also flagged PWIC’s non-payment for the utilization or consumption of materials and supplies inventory of the three local water districts. Its total unpaid obligations for the three areas amount to P65.65 million, he added.