A party-list lawmaker on Tuesday sought a congressional review of the ongoing negotiations between the Department of Justice and water concessionaires Maynilad Inc. and Manila Water Inc.
Under House Resolution 1664, Deputy Speaker and Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera asked appropriate committees at the chamber to conduct “a legislative review” on the status of the government’s negotiations with the water concessionaires.
She said the public has the right to know if there are changes introduced to the amended concession pacts.
She specifically asked the House Committees on Government Enterprises and Privatization; Good Government and Public Accountability; and any appropriate House panels to look into the matter.
“In the interest of ensuring the best services for the Filipino people, and to further avoid any onerous contractual situations with the concessionaires, further consultation and good governance oversight must be conducted prior to the approval and signing of the new drafts,” read Herrera’s resolution.
The lawmaker has urged the Justice Department to seriously consider and incorporate in the new contract the findings of the investigation that she conducted as far back as the 15th Congress.
“We have discovered a lot of loopholes in the concession agreement during the investigations that we’ve conducted in the 15th Congress. Thanks to President Duterte that this has been given merit and attention. We are hopeful that the good justice secretary will take into considerations our recommendations,” the party-list solon said.
Duterte ordered the DOJ to review the concession agreements because of onerous provisions that he said were disadvantageous to the government and the public.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra had identified “the prohibition against government interference in rate-setting and the provision on indemnity for possible losses in the event of such government interference” as the most notable onerous provisions under the CAs.