The term “conflict of interest” has risen to the limelight lately. It has been a comon concern for years, but as a related issue to the impeachment drama in the Senate, this term has been thrust into the headlines. The significance of this issue can be traced to the key roles that Senators Mark Villar and Camille Villar have when the time of reckoning arrives. Will they vote for the dismissal of the case or if trial ensues will they vote to convict or to acquit?
The issue of conflict of interest is being raised against Sen.Villar because during his tenure as Secretary of the DPWH, his representatives in the Board of Trustees of the Local Water Utilities Administration, attended meetings and participated in the deliberations of this agency. The Board made decisions in the presence of these DPWH offcials even when they were listed ony as observers.
Since it has been announced that he is under investigation, Sen. Mark Villar could be charged with violationg Rep. Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards and Rep. Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Both laws have penal or imprisonment provisions and also the penalty of perpetual disqualification from public office.
Based on the laws creating DPWH and LWUA, Sen.. Villar will be hard pressed to wiggle his way out of this dilemma. He will have a crisis in his hands possibly more serious that those he faced as Secretary.
All Joint Venture Agreements (reports indicate that there were about 100 of them) entered into by a Local Government Unit in joint venture with Primewater passed through the LWUA Board of Trustees which had two Undersecretaries of DPWH in attendance representing Sec. Villar.
Under the Jont Venture, the proposal of Primewater was ultimately approved without any contending bidder, under the Swiss Chalenge rule which allowed Primewater to make a proposal pertaining to the water utility business and operations. It was opened to whoever will contest with a corresponding proposal then this is, when available, matched with the Primewater proposal. In a situation like this will there be a contending or counterpart proposal? None. By all indications, Primewater always won.
As I stated earlier, the threat of a criminal case could influence his votes in the decisions of the Impeachment Court. His sister could vote similarly because the reputation and legal standing of their family business could be at stake. Millions of pesos in profits and potential business will also be at stake. He is, therefore, vulnerable.
This situation illustrates the power of the administration in influencing how the Impeachment court acts. What appears as a done deal now, could change quickly depending on how those interested in the conviction of VP Sara Duterte act in the coming weeks.
This also means that it is too early to celebrate. There will still be many surprises. Changes in alliances and protection of conflicting interests will be among them.
At this time Sen. Mark Villar is a target. Who will be the next one? Will it be Sen. Bato de la Rosa?
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #OpinYonNews #DPWH #LWUA #Primewater #MarkVillar #CamilleVillar