Marilyn Cahatol

Sen. Mark A. Villar manifests his full support during the plenary deliberation on the proposed budget of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) on November 15, Tuesday. 

Villar stressed the importance of giving the agency its needed budget to perform its duties and responsibilities, putting focus on the reduction of the agency’s maintenance fund which was cut from P24 billion to P11.3 billion. 

Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB

Article (news)

SENATE

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175169062020820221115-senate-budget-hearing-villar-sprib0129.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Sen. Mark Villar. Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Mark Villar. <em>Voltaire F. Domingo, Senate PRIB/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — Sen. Mark Villar on Saturday denied involvement in joint venture agreements of his family&#x27;s PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp., which increased in 2019 while he was secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways.</p><p>He also underscored he has “no direct or indirect ownership or controlling interest” in PrimeWater.</p><p>“During my tenure as Secretary of Public Works, I did not participate in any capacity whatsoever in any transactions or potential transactions between PrimeWater and any of its partner districts,” he added.</p><p>Villar is the son of billionaire and Nacionalista Party president Manny Villar and former Sen. Cynthia Villar. He resigned as DPWH secretary in 2021 to run for senator in the 2022 elections.</p><p>Malacañang on Friday revealed that the investigation into PrimeWater showed an increase in the number of joint venture agreements the water firm inked with local water districts in 2019.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/7/4/primewater-joint-deals-rose-in-2019-during-villar-led-dpwh-malaca-ang-1614"><strong>PrimeWater joint ventures increased in 2019, when LWUA was attached agency of Villar-led DPWH: Malacañang</strong></a></div><p>This was when the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), which handles local water utilities outside Metro Manila, was attached to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).</p><p>“My focus then had been to implement our national goal of creating critical community infrastructure. I have full faith that my service record in those years would bear witness to that focus and commitment,” Sen. Villar said of his tenure as public works secretary.</p><p>LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga said there is a possible conflict of interest in the joint venture agreements the water firm entered under the Villar-led DPWH.</p><p>Salonga added there may be irregularities in the deals, adding these have been included in LWUA&#x27;s report.</p><p>About 74 local water districts all over the country have entered into joint agreements with PrimeWater, many of which already called to pre-terminate the deals.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/5/lwua-investigates-primewater-over-complaints-of-poor-service-1430"><strong>LWUA investigates PrimeWater over complaints of poor service</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zo81MRaHVbE?si=0qgS46SXhw_jvnQn" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Senator Mark Villar on Saturday denied involvement in the increase of joint agreements of his family-owned PrimeWater in 2019, when he was still serving as the Secretary of Public Works and Highways.</p>

Senator Mark Villar on Saturday denied involvement in the increase of joint agreements of his family-owned PrimeWater in 2019, when he was still serving as the Secretary of Public Works and Highways.

Mark Villar denies influence in PrimeWater deals while DPWH chief

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

Mark Villar denies influence in PrimeWater deals while DPWH chief

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 05, 2025 12:58 PM PHT

Read More:

PrimeWater

Mark Villar

ABSnews

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.