Maynilad, Manila Water might face Harry Roque in court, Duterte hints

Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque could be one of the lawyers who would handle the Duterte administration's issues with the water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water.

In a speech before baptists in the country, Duterte said "Harry" would be one of the lawyers with whom the water concessionaires would have to deal.

“There is a provision kuno that I have to pay them for the losses that they incurred while waiting for the approval of the water rates,” Duterte said.

“Tell them, ‘There’s no f—g payment coming their way.’ And so I began to scrutinize the contract and Harry is here, he will be one of the lawyers who they will be facing, maybe in court,” he added.

Roque, who was in the audience at the time, told reporters in a text message that he could not comment on the President’s remarks as there had been “no offer yet.”

Malacañang has slammed as “onerous” the provisions in the water concession agreement that allow concessionaires to adjust water rates without the participation of any government entity and pass on their corporate income tax to consumers.

“It’s the blood of the Filipino, the sweat of the Filipino that made them very very rich,” Duterte said. —NB, GMA News