By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino Figures named in the Ombudsman’s PrimeWater complaints appear in a composite image against a PrimeWater f...
By Nimfa L. Estrellado-Laurino
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| Figures named in the Ombudsman’s PrimeWater complaints appear in a composite image against a PrimeWater facility. (VistaREIT) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - Formal anti-graft scrutiny has reached Quezon’s long-running water controversy after the Office of the Ombudsman opened a preliminary investigation into joint ventures between PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. and local water districts. The complaints bring agreements linked to water-supply interruptions, water quality and alleged financial obligations into proceedings under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
QMWD is among three water districts initially covered by the complaints, directly bringing the proceedings to the water system serving Lucena City, Tayabas City and Pagbilao. Enrico Pasumbal of QMWD, five members of its Joint Venture Selection Committee and five members of its Board of Directors were identified among the respondents.
The Quezon case forms part of a broader inquiry stemming from an Office of the Government Corporate Counsel report covering 75 local water districts that entered joint ventures with PrimeWater from 2015 to 2022. Nineteen districts later issued notices of pre-termination over alleged failures to meet contractual obligations, including uninterrupted water service and compliance with drinking-water standards.
Also named are Senators Mark and Camille Villar, former senators Manuel “Manny” Villar Jr. and Cynthia Villar, businessman Manuel Paolo Villar, PrimeWater president Fe Rebancos and vice president Romeo Sabater. The Ombudsman is examining possible violations of Sections 3(e) and 3(g) of Republic Act No. 3019.
Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano said complaints from consumers included concerns over unclean water and interruptions in service, issues also cited in the government review of the agreements. He said the initial complaints cover only three water districts as the Ombudsman continues examining other PrimeWater arrangements.
“Ito 'yung nakukuha nating mga complaints galing sa ating mga kababayan na hindi malinis at may interupsyon sa tubig na nakukuha nila. This is the initial list, and there are still more water districts under investigation. There are more cases in the pipelines,” Clavano said.
Commission on Audit findings added a financial dimension, with the Ombudsman citing PrimeWater’s alleged non-payment for materials and supplies belonging to QMWD, San Pedro Water District and Trece Martires City Water District. The combined unpaid obligation involving the three districts reached ₱65,650,708.07, but available reports do not separately identify the amount attributable to QMWD.
For Quezon consumers, the proceedings deepen scrutiny of an arrangement already associated with complaints over supply interruptions and service reliability. The issue now reaches beyond operating performance to the terms of the joint venture, the role of district officials and PrimeWater’s alleged financial obligations.
The Ombudsman described the agreements under review as allegedly “grossly disadvantageous” to local water districts and said further investigation is continuing. Other PrimeWater agreements remain under scrutiny as the anti-graft body examines additional water districts.
Manny Villar said the family learned of the complaints through media reports and had yet to receive copies when the statement was issued. He said the respondents intend to review the allegations and supporting evidence before addressing the complaints through the legal process.
“We respect the legal process and will respond to the complaints at the appropriate time and in the proper forum. We are confident that, once given the opportunity to examine the allegations and the evidence supporting them, we will be able to fully and properly defend our rights and address the matters raised against us,” Villar said.
The respondents have not been convicted or judicially found liable, and the allegations remain subject to preliminary investigation and response. For Quezon, the proceedings move a long-running water-service dispute into formal scrutiny of the QMWD-PrimeWater agreement, the officials involved in the deal and the financial issues cited by the Ombudsman.
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