Mark Villar denies hand in PrimeWater-LWUA deals as DPWH chief
Senator Mark Villar on Saturday denied that he had any participation in joint venture agreements (JVAs) entered into by PrimeWater and other local water districts facilitated through the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), when it was still an attached agency of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) during his term as secretary.
"I wish to take this opportunity to clarify that I have no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in Primewater," Villar said in a statement.
"During my tenure as Secretary of Public Works, I did not participate in any capacity whatsoever in any transactions or potential transactions between Primewater and any of its partner districts. My focus then had been to implement our national goal of creating critical community infrastructure," the senator added.
Villar was the chief of the DPWH from 2016 to 2021 during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. Villar resigned from the post to seek a senatorial seat in Eleksyon 2022.
PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. is owned by the Villar family.
The senator issued the statement after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro reported that JVAs between PrimeWater and other local water districts increased in 2019, noting that the DPWH during that time was led by then-secretary Villar.
Castro added that the Office of the President held a meeting Friday with the LWUA and the Office of The Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) to discuss the current situation of PrimeWater consumers.
Saying that his tenure in the DPWH was aligned with the goal of creating critical community infrastructure, Villar said, "I have full faith that my service record in those years would bear witness to that focus and commitment."
LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga earlier said the agency already finished its initial investigation into the complaints against PrimeWater JVAs, and that its findings and recommendations were already submitted to the office of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.
Salonga had said the LWUA was previously an attached agency of DPWH, and the possible conflict may be linked to the previous officials of these offices.
Marcos earlier ordered an investigation into the operations of PrimeWater due to numerous service-related complaints.
Meanwhile, a resolution has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking an inquiry into the JVAs entered into by PrimeWater and local water districts.
For its part, the water service provider had vowed to be open to any meaningful dialogue that would resolve concerns as it also affirmed it is committed to cooperating with LWUA. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
GMA Network
14 hours ago
- GMA Network
Manny Villar is only Filipino in top 100 of Bloomberg Billionaires Index
Manny Villar speaks at an event in Brittany Hotel Villar City in Bacoor, Cavite on August 4, 2025. Photo from his official Facebook account Real estate magnate Manuel Villar Jr. has landed as the only Filipino in the top 100 of Bloomberg's Billionaires Index—a list of the world's 500 richest people based on their total net worth. Villar ranked 99th in the index with a net worth of $23.1 billion, up by $617 million or 2.7% from a year ago on the back his real estate holdings and property development business. The only other Filipino on the list of the world's 500 richest is ports and casino tycoon Enrique Razon Jr., ranked 239th with a total net worth of $12.3 billion, up by $2.96 billion from a year earlier. Villar founded of Vista Land & Lifescapes, mall operator Vistamalls, home-improvement chain AllHome Corporation and supermarket operator AllDay Marts. Villar, a former Senate president, is married to former senator Cynthia Villar and is father to current Senators Mark and Camille Villar. — Ted Cordero/BM, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
Alleged 'ghost' flood control projects being validated — DPWH's Bonoan
Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan assured the public Wednesday that the supposed ''ghost'' flood control projects would be validated and investigated. ''This is something that we have to validate po kung mayroong ghost project na sinasabi kasi one to one 'to eh. Kung halimbawa, nirereport namin at hindi ho makita 'yung project na 'yan then that's the only time we can see na mayroong ghost project,'' Bonoan said in a Super Radyo dzBB interview. (This is something that we have to validate if there are ghost projects. For example, if we report then we don't see that project, then that's the only time we can see if there's indeed a ghost project.) His statement was in response to Senator Panfilo Lacson's remarks, pushing for the punishment against contractors and government accomplices who are involved in failed and ''ghost'' flood control projects. "The most effective mechanism is the certainty of punishment. Someone must be held accountable. Because if not, the flood control mess will continue, with the culprits lying low and then going back to business. So that is the most effective mechanism - to see the culprits actually getting punished,'' Lacson said in an earlier interview. President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. earlier vowed that his allies would not be spared if found to be involved in corruption on flood control projects. Marcos in his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025) warned government personnel who steal public funds, such as those for flood control projects, that they will be dealt with under the law. The DPWH earlier admitted that it has no monitoring system in place for some flood control projects—specifically those inserted by lawmakers into the national budget without undergoing technical vetting. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
2 days ago
- GMA Network
DPWH-11 denies post linking delay of project in Davao City to politics
A social media post showing a large sign allegedly posted at the Maa Flyover project site in Davao City went viral after it claimed that the project was delayed due to political interference. The sign accused the Marcos and Romualdez administration of political pressure, which allegedly caused the delay of the project. It also alleged that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) failed to address the road right-of-way issues, withheld the budget, and showed sluggish action from its legal office. When GMA Regional TV One Mindanao visited the site on Saturday, August 2, 2025, no sign was found at the site. In a statement, DPWH-Davao (DPWH-11) denied the claims made in the viral post and clarified that the project is not being politicized. 'The claim that the project is being delayed due to alleged political issues involving the current administration is false and misleading,' DPWH-11 said. DPWH-11 said the Maa-Magtuod Flyover project has been fully funded since 2022, and the funds needed for the completion of the project have already been released. It added that civil works are ongoing at 82.5 percent. The agency explained that the project is facing minor concerns on road right-of-way involving a few properties and utilities. Most of these concerns have already been resolved while some are awaiting funds for settlement. 'As of now, four properties have been tagged as urgent for acquisition and are currently being processed by the office. The acquisition took time for these properties due to existing mortgage lien issues with their land titles. Yet, the office is actively coordinating with their respective mortgagee banks,' DPWH-11 added. DPWH-11 also coordinated with the Davao Light and Power Company and telecommunication companies for the relocation of the poles affected. DPWH-11 assured the public that the project remains a top priority. The government has allocated more than P1.4 billion for the project. The construction began in 2021 and is expected to be finished by 2026.
