DOES THE MERE mention of Villar connote fraud and flattery, as businesses supposedly owned by the richest Filipino have become subject of complaints by no less than the companies’ captured market.
Taking cue from the most recent developments hounding PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp, owned by the family of tycoon and former Senate President Manny Villar Jr., the family’s business venture takes the center stage in view of a Palace-backed investigation.
No less than Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin ordered an investigation into the utility arising from an “overwhelming number” of customer complaints, for which various sectors sought the termination of its joint venture agreements (JVAs) with some 100 local water districts across the country.
According to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, the government is “obliged” to act on the complaints, citing the need to address the concerns of an estimated 16 million customers.
“Let’s remember, the estimated number of people affected by the poor service of PrimeWater is now 16 million, so we really need to take action quickly,” Castro said in the vernacular.
‘Even before PrimeWater became notoriously famous for exorbitant fees amid poor services, the family’s real estate business has had its share of legal tussles…’
THE CONGLOMERATE
Villar family controls PrimeWater through its holding company Prime Asset Ventures, Inc. (PAVI) with the patriarch’s son Paolo as chief executive officer.
The family is known for its real estate businesses, particularly Vista Land and its subsidiaries. Property development, embarking on sprawling residential subdivisions, is their first business. Vista Land later on took on commercial projects
Through the years, their business expanded, as the family diversified to shopping malls, memorial services (chapels, crematoriums, and columbariums), to name a few.
During the previous administration, the family’s business empire went into utilities through PrimeWater.
In what appears to be an effort to boost its formidability, the family also went into casino operations. To start with, the family patriarch, former Senate President Manny Villar whose net worth rose to $17.2 billion (as of May 9, 2025), commenced the construction of two “big” casinos at the Villar City in Las Pinas City.
COMPLAINTS, COMPLAINTS
Even before PrimeWater became notoriously famous for exorbitant fees amid poor services, the family’s real estate business has had its share of legal tussles arising from cancelled housing projects after collecting down payments and monthly amortization from clients.
In an exclusive interview, Juan Antonio Fidel who worked as marketing manager of Bria Homes Inc., from September 2018 until April 2022, said that buyers under the so-called “pre-selling” scheme have yet to collect their payment even after the Rizal-based housing project was shelved.
Even in Las Pinas City where the family hails, businesses well within Villar’s ambit have reportedly incurred billions in obligations to the city government.
As for PrimeWater, complaints from consumers across the archipelago — Bulacan, Batangas, Cavite, Pampanga, Caloocan, Sorsogon, Bacolod, Leyte, Bukidnon, and Davao among others, have since piled up.
Prime Water has secured joint venture agreements (JVAs) with 130 local water districts across the country.
THE BROKEN SYSTEM
At the House of Representatives, militant legislators have filed a resolution urging a congressional investigation into the JVAs between PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation and more 130 local water districts around the country.
In House Resolution 2279, the Makabayan bloc sought investigation on PrimeWater’s alleged failure to provide reliable, safe, and affordable water services, zeroing in on its contentious partnership with local water districts resulting in widespread public complaints over erratic water supply, excessive billing, and deteriorating service.
According to the resolution, consumers have suffered from water rationing during ungodly hours, tap water contamination, and soaring monthly fees. Despite this, PrimeWater reportedly raked in billions in profits, while the local water districts suffered a sharp drop in its net income.
PrimeWater is also the water provider in residential subdivisions developed by Vista Land and its subsidiaries.
“This broken system of water privatization cannot be allowed to continue. Water is a basic human need and must be managed publicly and democratically. We will continue pushing for the Anti-Privatization of Public Water Systems Bill to reclaim public control over this essential service,” Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas said.
ACCORDING TO C.O.A.
According to the Commission on Audit (COA), PrimeWater has been remiss on its obligation as provided for under the JVA. In its audit report, COA said that PrimeWater invested only 46.72 percent of its committed capital expenditure over five years.
The company also failed to complete a water treatment facility by the agreed deadline, prompting the agency to recommend penalties, including the forfeiture of a 12 percent performance bond.
Auditors likewise claimed that the agreement lacked a feasibility study and public consultation.