Senator Mark Villar has denied allegations that more contracts were awarded to PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation during his term as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The claims emerged after Palace Press Officer and Undersecretary Claire Castro revealed details of a meeting with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), led by Administrator Jose Moises Salonga, the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC), and staff from the Office of the President regarding complaints about PrimeWater’s service quality.
Castro pointed out that the number of joint venture agreements involving PrimeWater increased significantly in 2019, when Villar was heading the DPWH.
She noted that PrimeWater, a company linked to the Villar family, allegedly expanded its partnerships with various local government units (LGUs) during that period.
Villar, who served as DPWH Secretary from 2016 to 2021 before being elected to the Senate in 2022, strongly denied the accusations.
“I wish to take this opportunity to clarify that I have no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest in PrimeWater,” the senator said in a statement.
“I have full faith that my service record in those years would bear witness to that focus and commitment.”
The issue resurfaced after President Bongbong Marcos ordered a probe into complaints about PrimeWater’s service, following Vice President Sara Duterte’s endorsement of Senator Camille Villar’s candidacy in the 2025 elections.
Camille Villar, the senator’s sister, is part of the administration-aligned coalition Alyansa Para Sa Bagong Pilipinas.
Tensions between Marcos and Duterte have recently escalated, turning once-strong allies into political rivals.