Palace tells Robredo not to meddle in water concessions issue

December 16, 2019

Malacanang said on Monday that Vice President Leni Robredo should not interfere over President Rodrigo Duterte's approach in dealing with the two water concessionaires.

In a press briefing, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Robredo did not know anything about the issue after the vice president urged for "calmer ways" in handling the contracts with Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc.

"Maybe our advice to VP Leni, don't meddle on things that you don't know," he said.

"It means, I don't think she knows anything about it. The President has made a stand and the stand appears to be very effective. She should know that," said Panelo, also chief presidential legal counsel.

While Robredo expressed support on the government's review of the water concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad, she also warned that if the administration would not deal with the issue calmly, there could be a lot of collateral damage.

Robredo cited the drop of shares in the stock market of those companies related to Manila Water and Maynilad.

Robredo noted that state-run Social Security System and Government Service Insurance System have investments in the water companies' parent firms and they could also be affected.

She also said the government's action could also send a wrong signal to investors.

Duterte threatened a military takeover if talks with the water companies to address the onerous provisions in the contracts fail.

He also warned of sending to jail those responsible for the "disadvantageous" concession agreements.

Meanwhile, Panelo also wondered why it was taking so long for Robredo to come out with her supposed report on what she had "discovered" during her short stint as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.

"What’s taking her so long? As the President said, ‘bring it on, whatever you want to come out with’," he said.

Panelo said it would be difficult for someone to come out with an expose if there was really nothing to reveal.

Robredo earlier promised to release her own report on Monday regarding the administration's drug war following her two-week stint at ICAD. But she decided to defer it following Sunday's magnitude 6.9 earthquake in Mindanao.

She has said that she wants the public to focus more on helping the earthquake-affected residents, particularly in Davao del Sur.

At least four people were reported dead in the strong tremor that struck parts of Mindanao on Saturday afternoon. Celerina Monte/DMS