Robredo asked why the Duterte Administration didn't make a move on the water concession deals in 2016

On her radio station this Sunday, Vice President Leni Robredo said the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte should not have waited to push for a renegotiation of water deals until the latest arbitral ruling in favor of Manila Water.

“Three and a half years na itong pamahalaang ito. Sigurado naman ako nung pumasok sila noong middle of 2016, alam na nila na mayroong arbitration case,” she said.

“Bakit pa hinintay na lumabas ‘yung desisyon na to? Bakit hindi gumawa ng mga hakbang noon pang 2016 para maayos?”


She also balked at Duterte’s plan for the government — or even the military — to take over the operations of water firms.

Vice President Leni Robredo / Photo from Manila Bulletin

“Parang nakakalimutan natin in the first place kung bakit nandoon ‘yun sa private. Kaya siya binigay sa private kasi nung gobyerno ‘yung humahawak, palpak nga,” she said.


She also urged the government to pursue a “calmer” approach in reviewing the concession agreements of Manila Water Corporation and Maynilad Water Services Inc.

Robredo noted that the government’s tirades against water firms had caused their stocks to slump, which may negatively impact the investments of the Social Security System and the Government Service Insurance System.

“Dahil sa pagdesisyon ng pabigla-bigla, ano iyong message na binibigay nito sa mga investors? Dati nang bagsak iyong ating foreign direct investments. Kapag nakita ng mga investors na dito pala sa atin walang kasiguraduhan iyong mga kontrata, tingin ba natin maeengganyo ba sila?” she said.


“Kung may masamang probisyon, i-renegotiate ‘yun at ‘wag payagan na patuloy na mamayani kasi nakakasama siya sa taong bayan. Pero ‘yung paraan nang paggawa, parating iisipin,” Robredo said.

Found this article interesting? Share it with your friends! 👍🏼

Share

This article first appeared on Daily Explorer.