The administration slate Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas said Friday that Las Piñas Rep. Camille Villar remains among its senatorial candidates, despite President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s call to investigate mounting complaints against PrimeWater, a water service provider owned by the Villar family.
Toby Tiangco, the coalition’s campaign manager, expressed confidence that Villar would not take their support for Marcos’ directive personally, citing her track record that “supports efforts that promote transparency, accountability, and the public good.”
“Public concerns over water service, whether involving a local utility or a private provider like PrimeWater, deserve to be addressed through proper and transparent channels,” Tiangco stressed. “Any inquiry must be guided by facts and focused on ensuring providers meet their obligations to the people.”
Tiangco made the statement ahead of the administration ticket’s campaign rally in vote-rich Quezon province.
Villar’s camp has confirmed she will skip the rally, further fueling speculations of a rift between the Villar and Marcos camps. The tension reportedly stems from the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, a longtime ally of the Villar family, on 11 March by the International Criminal Court.
Since March, Rep. Villar has been noticeably absent from multiple Alyansa sorties. Her sudden endorsement from Vice President Sara Duterte, once a staunch ally of the administration and now one of its most vocal critics, also raised eyebrows within the coalition.
Despite these developments, Tiangco maintained that the Alyansa remains solid. He said the coalition, which includes political blocs such as the Nacionalista Party led by former Senate president Manny Villar, stands firm.
Probe into Villar's PrimeWater
Earlier this week, Marcos ordered agencies to investigate PrimeWater following complaints from consumers, particularly in Bulacan, about poor water service.
PrimeWater operates in several provinces, including Cavite, Batangas, Pampanga, Cabanatuan, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Subic, and Camarines Norte.
In Bulacan, the provincial government decried PrimeWater’s service, especially the lack of water supply. Governor Daniel Fernando has called for the cancellation of joint venture agreements between the water firm and several water districts in the province.
Tiangco said Alyansa is aware of the complaints and supports a swift and transparent review of PrimeWater’s performance.
“Clean and reliable water is a basic need, and any service issues must be reviewed fairly and with urgency,” he added.
Vice President Duterte, meanwhile, has claimed that the probe is politically motivated in retaliation for her endorsement of Villar. Alongside Villar, she has also backed Senator Imee Marcos, who withdrew from her brother’s Alyansa after criticizing Duterte’s arrest.
DAILY TRIBUNE has reached out to PrimeWater for comment. This is a developing story.