Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Saturday, December 14, defended the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte that the military could take over the water distribution operations from water concessionaires Manila Water and Maynilad.
“Under the Constitution, the state may temporarily take over or direct the operations of privately owned public utilities or businesses affected with public interest: in case of national emergency and when public interest requires it,” explained Guevarra.
“These are factual issues that only the President, as Chief Executive, can determine,” the Secretary pointed out. The President on Thursday, December 12, warned the two water concessionaires Manila Water Company, Inc. and Maynilad Water Services, Inc. not to make threats of any possible water shortage.
Otherwise, Duterte said he would be forced to order the military to take over water distribution operations.Duterte also threatened to suspend the privilege of writ of habeas corpus to arrest persons behind what he described as onerous concession agreements. “Pag niloko niyo ako, kapag niloko niyo ang Pilipino , I will suspend the writ of habeas corpus and I will arrest all of you,” he said.
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