By Argyll Geducos President Duterte vowed to name everyone involved in the crafting of the onerous water distribution agreement between the government and two private companies, telling them to explain why they took advantage of the Filipino people. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO) In a speech a week after he sent Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc. the new water concession agreement, Duterte said he will name everyone involved in the 1997 contract, even if the companies decide to accept the new deal penned by the government. "Even if we renew the contract or not, the people should know kung sino yung mga (who were the) Filipino and I will reveal all of them, I'm just trying to finish the... I will reveal who are they so that you can ask them, including the Ayala and Pangilinan, 'Bakit mo ginawa sa amin 'yan (Why did you do that to us)?'" he said Thursday. "I have nothing against you personally, but you have to explain to the Filipino people why you did it... Bakit mo ginawa sa amin 'yan? Bigyan mo ako ng sagot kung hindi, p

g i*a, babarilin ko 'yang b***g mo (Why did you do it to us? Give me an answer because, you son of a bitch, I will shoot you in the balls)." Duterte ordered a review of the water concession contract between the government and the two distribution companies following the water crisis that hit Metro Manila and other areas over a year ago. After claiming that the contract was onerous, the President ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to draft a new deal to present to the two companies. Duterte said in his speech that a lot of people were probably having sleepless nights since he threatened to press charges against those involved in the crafting of the original contract. "Now they're having sleepless nights. You would notice that you could hardly hear a wimp out of them.” "The violations, I said, contained in the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices , are all there. And so the lawyers of government, everybody is trying to be minimalist, they are trying to explain their role as minimal." Court battle In his speech, Duterte mentioned that the two water concessionaires were free to accept or reject the new contract but said they will be facing a certain "Harry" if he decides to press charges against them. "Harry is here, he will be one of the lawyers who'd they'd be facing -- maybe in court," he said. Former presidential spokesman Harry Roque was part of Duterte's audience Thursday night. When asked if he was returning to government, Roque said he had no idea what Duterte was talking about. "No idea," he said in a text message. He added that the President has not mentioned anything to him about the water issue. Duterte said he will take over the two companies and nationalize water resources if Maynilad and Manila Water decide to reject the new contract. However, he said he cannot guarantee that no charges will be filed against them if they accept the new deal. "I cannot, I could never, I said there are so many millions of Filipinos. One might just bring a case against you. 'Yan ang hindi ko mapagilan. Tanggapin ninyo (I cannot accept that. Face it) then maybe have a compromise," he said. The President then asked the public to remember the issue since it may last longer than his remaining time in office. "Keep track of the contract. I have prepared one that has been submitted to them. Pero (But) it's a long process. I'll be out in a few months. Please do not abandon this case because if you're looking for the biggest, it's really people who take advantage of their wealth and positions," Duterte said. Manila Bay won't be clean Meanwhile, Duterte said there was no way for Manila Bay to be totally cleaned because of the absence of a water treatment facility that should have been built by Maynilad and Manila Water. "Manila Bay could never be improved by Cimatu. All he can do is to reduce the contamination. Why? Because there is no water treatment," he said. "Until now, all the wastewater is blown, every day, to the Manila Bay. And that job was supposed to be done by the one who got the contract of water, sewer, and sewerage which is the two companies." Duterte ordered the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay in 2019. He even issued another order to expedite the process of cleaning it.