President Rodrigo Duterte threatened that he would “expropriate everything” from two water concessionaires if he gets unsatisfied with their explanation on concession agreements.
Earlier, Manila Water president and CEO Jose Almendras and Maynilad President and CEO Ramoncito Fernandez said they will no longer insist on getting the 10.8 billion revenue losses from the government due to suspension of rate hikes in the past.
“Now, ‘pag hindi ako ma-satisfy, I will expropriate everything. Kunin ko lahat. Magdemanda ka nang magdemanda tutal dalawang taon na lang, wala na ako,” the President said.
Duterte has accused the two water distributors of milking billions from the public.
The issue stemmed from the Singapore-based arbitration panel ruling that orders the Philippine government to pay Ayala-led Manila Water P7.4 billion for its losses from unapproved water hikes from June 2015 to November 2019
Duterte summoned the officials of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System and the lawyers who crafted the 1997 water concession deals.
He warned of suspending the writ of habeas corpus if MWSS officials and lawyers involved with the agreements will not heed his order.
“Yung mga abugado noon kung ayaw nilang pumunta rito, I will drag them. Then if you will force my hand, I will throw my last card. Ayaw ninyo? O sige. I will suspend the habeas corpus at hilain kayo. Widespread economic sabotage,” he said.
