PRESIDENT Duterte, saying he has been humbled by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, apologized on Monday night to businessmen Manuel Pangilinan and the Ayalas for the “hurtful words” that he uttered in the past.
In a public address aired late Monday night, the President said he had lost his snobbishness and had been forced to humble himself following the response and assistance extended by members of the business sector, including Pangilinan and the Ayalas, when he asked for everyone’s cooperation and support on efforts to contain the spread of the virus and assist those affected by the pandemic and the lockdown.
Duterte thanked the business sector for helping the government, especially in attending to the needs of the public.
“Naubos na ho iyong pagkasuplado ko kasi, dahil sa, the COVID. The COVID humbled me. That with the kind of response that you gave, showed to the public, it’s a humbling experience also for me that, you know, baka kailangan mo rin sila balang araw… (I’ve lost my snobbishness because of the COVID. The COVID humbled me. That with the kind of response that you gave, showed to the public, it’s a humbling experience also for me that, you know, you may need them someday),” he said.
“Iyong mga masakit kong salita to the Ayalas and to — si Pangilinan, I apologize for the hurting words. If you can find in your heart to forgive me (For my hurtful words to the Ayalas and to Pangilinan, I apologize for the hurting words. If you can find in your heart to forgive me),” he added.
“We are grateful for President Duterte’s statement at the briefing last night. We have always believed in building a strong partnership between the private and public sectors in addressing our country’s problems and in investing in the country to create jobs and improve the lives of Filipinos. We appreciate the recognition of the Ayala Group’s efforts in supporting the administration as it faces the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Zobel brothers, Jaime Augusto and Fernando, chairman and president, respectively, of Ayala Corp. said.
“We are committed to help the President tackle the many challenges he has to deal with and are confident that by working together, our country can overcome each challenge, save lives and gradually put the country back on a path of growth,” they added.
Pangilinan, in a tweet, said his group “is fully committed to being a partner of the government in addressing the heartbreaking moments of COVID-19 on our people, in building a better tomorrow for them.
“We are, and have always been here, for the country,” he said.
The President tried to make light of the situation by saying he would go directly to God and report Pangilinan and the Ayalas for not accepting his apology and forgiving him.
Duterte in the past had criticized and threatened Pangilinan and the Ayalas, owners of water concessionaires Maynilad and Manila Water, respectively, with plunder and economic sabotage for alleged onerous and disadvantageous agreements that they entered into with government.
He had also ordered the crafting of new concession deals and threatened a government takeover of water distribution services if the private firms refused to accept the new water agreement.
He also, in the past, threatened to slap and jail “rich” people like the Ayalas.
The President said he is now ready to talk to the water company owners and “be reasonable” as he knows that there a lot of legal issues that need to be discussed and resolved between the government and the private firms.
Maynilad and Manila Water won the concession in 1997 during the term of President Fidel Ramos as part of the government’s asset privatization move. The agreement was supposed to end in 2022. In 2009, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo approved the contract extension to 2037.
Last November, an arbitration Court in Singapore November ordered the government to pay P7.39 billion to Manila Water to cover its losses. In 2017, the court likewise awarded Maynilad P3.4 billion, billed to the government, for similar losses.
Manila Water shares ended up P1.26 higher on Tuesday at P11.72. Ayala Corp. shares rose P82.50 to P642.50.
Shares in Pangilinan’s Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which holds the controlling interest in Maynilad, rose from P0.34 to P2.85.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, in a briefing on Tuesday, said the apology of the President does not exonerate anyone if there are any irregularities in the agreements.
Roque said he expects the talks about the crafting of new agreement and whatever issues are pending between the government and the water firms, like the P7 billion settlement ordered by an arbitration court for government to pay Manila water.
He said if an out of court settlement could be reached in some issues, government is likely to pursue it.
“Sabi naman po niya na pwedeng mag-usap sa mga issues between these companies and the government…pero iyung mga issue na nailabas ng Presidente, lalo na sa water concessions remain. Siguro po iyung pag-uusap e doon sa kung papano babaguhin iyun concession agreement nang kompanya na nagbibigay ng tubig sa atin (He said talks on issues between these companies and the government are okay…But the issues raised by the President about water concessions remain. The talks would probably focus on the changes in the concession agreement of the companies supplying us with water),” he said. — With Ruelle Castro
