President Rodrigo Duterte holds that the state will not make good the Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc.’s over PHP10 billion loss. The Chief Executive reasons that the owners of the two firms are taking advantage of the public. He warns of economic sabotage as a suit against the officials involved in the entering into the dubious agreement with the two water concessionaires.
The Maynilad and Manila Water had sued the Philippine government before the permanent court of arbitration in Singapore following its denial of their intended water price hike, resulting in their loss.
President Duterte insists that some provisions in said contract are detrimental to the state. “Kasi nakalagay doon, interpreting this contract, Republic of the Philippines e. Sabi lang the Philippine government shall see to it that the operation, sa distribution will be secured . . . and any interruption caused by a disturbance of government and the corresponding loss that could be created out of a malfunction whatever . . . . ‘Pag dinemanda nila tayo d’yan sa e di magbanggit ng 7 million *** Pakain ko ‘yong pera sa kanila” (Because what is indicated there, interpreting this contract, Republic of the Philippines. Only reflected there is the Philippine government shall see to it that the operation, on the distribution will be secured . . . and any interruption caused by a disturbance of government and the corresponding loss that could be created out of a malfunction whatever . . . . If they will sue us in they mention 7 million *** I shall make them eat the money), says the Head of State.
