Duterte’s Water Rants Threaten Philippine Pitch to Investors
- Renegotiation of other business deals a worry, Fitch unit says
- President to make announcement on water contracts Monday
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Soon after he became president of the Philippines in 2016, Rodrigo Duterte ordered government officials “to refrain from changing and bending the rules of government contracts.”
Halfway through his six-year term, Duterte’s commitment is under question. In December, the firebrand leader ordered the renegotiation of long-agreed contracts for Manila Water Co. and Maynilad Water Services Inc. to supply the capital until 2037. He also said his government will not pay billions of pesos to Manila Water for delayed tariff increases as ordered by a court, while threatening to jail owners of both water providers.