PH gov’t should honor its contracts

We believe we live in a country where law should prevail.

lf the government has entered into contracts based on public bidding, it should honor such commitments. lf international arbitration was provided in said contracts, and duly accepted, it should naturally prevail, so be it.

It is the honor and reputation of the country that is at stake.

Rates should have followed inflation, and it is the responsibility of the government to protect the currency from erosion.

If the cost of living goes out of control, it is not the responsibility of the concessionaire.

We are ready to pay the contractual water hikes and reject being complicit with breaking formal commitments. We see no ground for “force majeure.”

MWSS should be free to enter into an “improved” agreement when the present concessions expire.

Personal attacks and threats on the owners or on associated companies are vulgar and indecent, a shame on the country’s reputation. We are not under Trump’s populist rule.

Incidentally, we consider President Fidel V. Ramos as one of the “best presidents” in Philippine postwar history.

The Philippine government cannot accept an arbitration case when it suits it, like The Hague for the Spratlys, and reject it when it does not (the Singapore/utility rates).

W-A MIAILHE DE BURGH
Escolta, Manila