President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday apologized to earthquake victims in Mindanao for not visiting them soon enough, adding that he has many “problems” in Manila including the “onerous” water concession deal.
“I share your grief, to be honest. That’s why I’m here. And I must apologize, I am very sorry that I could not be here immediately,” Duterte said in his speech in Cotabato, one of the provinces that has been hit by a series of earthquakes last October.
More than 40 people have been reported dead or missing and nearly 800 were injured in the earthquakes.
“Natural disasters and other calamities have hit the region, taking many lives, destroying properties and depriving our people of vital resources,” Duterte said.
The President also assured them that the government would help until “you’re able to get back to your feet and start anew with renewed hope and greater capacity to lead your lives.”
”There were so many problems in Manila. I was busy cursing water concessionaires,” he said.
The President was referring to the government’s water concession contracts with Ayala-owned Manila Water and the Pangilinan-led Maynilad.
In his speech, Duterte also renewed his threats against the utility firms’ executives that he would jail them.
“If they make a mistake, those morons, I will really jail them. You see, they do not react to any insult from me. For sure, syndicated estafa,” he said.
“They were only the distributor but as it turned out, they were the richest people as if they own water,” the President added.
The President previously assailed the two Metro Manila water firms for allegedly taking advantage of the concession agreements to “milk” Filipinos by the billions.