Metro Manila, Philippines – The Office of the Ombudsman filed on Friday, Sept. 18, criminal and administrative complaints against Senators Mark and Camille Villar, members of the family, and a number of PrimeWater and local water district officials over allegedly disadvantageous water deals.
The complaints involve joint venture agreements between PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation and 75 local water districts from 2015 to 2022.
The agreements covered the development and operation of water and septage services.
The ombudsman said 19 of the water districts later sought to end their agreements early because PrimeWater allegedly failed to meet its obligations.
The agency said the complaints included concerns over uninterrupted water supply and poor water quality, among other service issues.
The ombudsman said its investigation found that the agreements were “grossly disadvantageous” to the local water districts.
It added that the Commission on Audit also flagged PrimeWater for failing to pay for materials and supplies used from the water districts.
For the three water districts initially covered by the complaints, the unpaid obligations totaled ₱65.65 million. These are the Quezon Metropolitan Water District, Trece Martires City Water District, and San Pedro Water District in Laguna.
The complaints named Mark Villar, a former public works secretary and beneficial owner of PrimeWater and Prime Asset Ventures Inc., as well as Camille Villar, former Speaker Manny, former Senator Cynthia Villar, and businessman Paolo Villar.
PrimeWater President Fe Rebancos and vice president Romeo Sabater are also in the complaint sheet, as well as officials and board members of the three water districts.
The respondents face complaints for alleged violations of the anti-graft law.
The ombudsman said more complaints may be filed as the investigation continues.
Meanwhile, the Villar patriarch, in a statement sent to the ombudsman media group, said the family learned about the complaints through media reports and has yet to receive copies of the same.
Villar said the family respects the legal process and will respond “at the appropriate time and in the proper forum.”
“We are confident that, once given the opportunity to examine the allegations and the evidence supporting them, we will be able to fully and properly defend our rights and address the matters raised against us,” he said.
Villar also asked that conclusions not be drawn before the respondents are given the opportunity to be heard.
