ACCRA fingerprints all over? Duterte reveals Drilon warned him about tinkering with Maynilad, Manila Water contracts

Photo from abogado.com

President Rodrigo Duterte revealed that Senator Frank Drilon advised him not to fight the two water concessioners about their contracts because it would cost the government billions on fees and penalties.

Duterte has railed agajnst what he called onerous provisions in the contracts signed by Maynilad Water Services Inc. of the Salim-Consunji group and Manila Water Co. of the Ayala group specifically the guarantee on their income even if the concessionaires do not fulfilll their mandates such as installing a sewerage pipes and waste treatment facilities.

“Wala akong ano kay Drilon pero I distinctly recall Drilon making a side remark when I was talking about these contracts. And he said, ‘Dahan-dahan ka diyan because we can lose millions and billions of pesos in damage’,” said Duterte in a speech.

“Senator Drilon, are you one of those who crafted the contract? I’m asking you,” he added.

Drilon is a senior counsel of the powerful ACCRALAW which crafted the draft executive order signed by President Fidel C. Ramos in 1997 which laid down the privatization of the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System.

Duterte made the statement after a Singapore arbitrartion court ordered his administration to pay P3.6 billion to Maynilad and P7.4 bllion to Manila Water for losses due to delays in water rate hikes.

Source and Original Article:>>> abogado.com

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