Mark Villar denies any involvement in PrimeWater

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar has denied that he has ownership or controlling interest in the Villar-owned water service provider PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. and any of its partner districts.

“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 released on Saturday.

Villar underscored that during his tenure as the secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways from 2016 to 2021, he “did not participate in any capacity whatsoever in any transactions or potential transactions between PrimeWater and any of its partner districts.”

READ: PrimeWater committed to transparency with Malacañang

“My focus then had been to implement our national 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,” he added.

The senator is the son of billionaire and former senators Manny Villar and Cynthia Villar and the brother of newly elected senator Camille Villar.

Earlier, Palace press officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is reviewing the comprehensive report submitted by the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA) on its investigation into the complaints hounding PrimeWater.

Customers of the water service provider have complained about the prolonged service interruptions, dirty water coming out of their taps, and even higher rates they were being charged compared to the rates of other suppliers.

The PrimeWater, meanwhile, recently said that it was cooperating with all the regulatory bodies, including the LWUA. /cb