By Vanne Elaine Terrazola
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto commended on Tuesday President Duterte for apologizing to the owners of the two Metro Manila water concessionaires.
Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph G. Recto
(Ali Vicoy / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"I salute the President for being humble enough to admit a mistake," Recto said in a text message.
The Senate leader said businesses in the private sector "play a very important role in our society by creating jobs, wealth, goods, and services we all need... including paying taxes the government uses for public good."
Recto continued: "Being rich and successful should be celebrated and emulated not frowned upon. Especially, if they practice social responsibility by helping and caring for others."
Duterte, in his public address aired late Monday night, offered his apologies to Manila Water chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Maynilad chairman Manuel Pangilinan for his "hurtful words."
The COVID-19 situation, he said, humbled him and made him see how business leaders helped the government in addressing the pandemic.
He also promised to be "nice" and "reasonable" to them and vowed to hold talks with the two water companies about the government's concession contracts with them.
Duterte had repeatedly threatened to jail Ayala and Pangilinan for the onerous water agreements that supposedly compromised the country's sovereignty.