Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said yesterday that he has ordered Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar to inhibit herself from participating in the review of the concession agreements with Manila Water and Maynilad to erase doubts of vested interests.
“I requested Usec. Villar to inhibit herself na lang to dispel suspicions that the DoJ contract review may not be completely objective due to an alleged possible conflict of interest,” Guevarra said.
“It’s unfair to Usec. Villar who has always acted with professionality, but the circumstances call for it,” he pointed out.
The Justice Secretary had earlier admitted that Undersecretary Villar, wife of Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, is part of the team he lead that conducted the review of the water concession deals.
Secretary Villar’s family owns water utility company, the Prime Water Infrastructure Corp., which is touted to replace Manila Water and Maynilad when the water concession pacts expire in 2022.
The DoJ has submitted to President Duterte a report on the water concession deals and found onerous provisions.
Guevarra has assured that even without the participation of Undersecretary Villar, onerous provisions will still be found in the deals.
“One thing I can say, any good lawyer will come to the same findings and conclusion,” he stated. (Jeffrey Damicog)