Villar family face complaints from Ombudsman over poor PrimeWater service
The Office of the Ombudsman on Friday, Sept. 18, filed criminal and administrative complaints against Senators Mark and Camille Villar, former Senators Manny and Cynthia Villar, and Paolo Villar over Prime Water contracts. Other PWIC officers and local water district officials who had joint ventures with PWIC were also named in the complaint.
In a press briefing on Friday, Clavano said the Office of the Government Corporate Council submitted a report to the Ombudsman saying from 2015 to 2022, 75 local water districts entered into joint venture agreements with Prime Water Infrastructure Corporation.
"A total of 19 of these local water districts have issued notices of pretermination due to the inability of the PWIC to provide its obligations," Calavano said.
"It has reportedly failed to supply uninterrupted water resources and has instead provided poor drinking water standards, among other complaints against it," he added, saying the public and various media outlets have asked "how this transpired during the time of then DPWH Secretary and Local Water Utilities Administration Board of Trustees member Mark A. Villar."
Clavano added the Office of the Ombudsman found the agreements of PWIC with local water districts "grossly disadvantageous."
Per Clavano, the Commission on Audit had already flagged PWIC's non-payment for the utilization or consumption of materials and supplies inventory of local water districts in Quezon, Trese Martires City, and San Pedro City.
"Considering the three areas, the total unpaid obligation of PWIC has reached P65,650,708.07," said Clavano.
He then announced the Office of the Ombudsman is "filing criminal and administrative complaints" for violation of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
More water districts are under investigation and more cases are in the pipeline, said Clavano.
In April 2025, a House probe was sought over Prime Water's frequent service disruptions and high rates.
