Investigation into Mark Villar's potential conflict of interest by PrimeWater unveiled
In a move to address concerns about poor water service in affected areas, the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has launched an investigation into PrimeWater, a major water utility firm owned by the Villar family. The probe, which was initiated following complaints about the company's services, is now focusing on a potential conflict of interest involving Mark Villar, who served as the Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) at the time[1][2].
Key points regarding the conflict of interest are:
- The Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), an attached agency under the Villar-led DPWH, saw an increase in PrimeWater's joint venture agreements in 2019[3]. - LWUA Administrator Jose Moises Salonga has acknowledged the likelihood of a conflict of interest involving leadership during that time, including Mark Villar[1][3]. - The investigation will further explore this possible conflict, but the immediate priority is restoring water services rather than assigning blame[1]. - Media reports confirm that the probe explicitly covers Mark Villar’s possible conflict of interest related to PrimeWater's contracts and joint ventures during his tenure at DPWH[2][4].
Meanwhile, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the inflation rate in the country had been decreasing for four consecutive months before accelerating to 1.4% in June 2025, citing higher power rates as the contributing factor[5].
In other news, the award-winning documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" was previously removed from a local film festival. However, it recently won the Tides of Change award at the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand on July 3, 2025[6].
Sadly, the entertainment industry also mourned the loss of TV-radio host and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis, who passed away on July 3, 2025, at the age of 78. Solis was remembered as a "solid rock" but often misunderstood[7].
[1] Inquirer.net, "Marcos orders probe into PrimeWater's poor service," June 1, 2025. [2] Rappler.com, "Investigation into PrimeWater's service focuses on possible conflict of interest involving Mark Villar," June 2, 2025. [3] Manila Bulletin, "LWUA Administrator admits possible conflict of interest in PrimeWater's contracts," June 3, 2025. [4] CNN Philippines, "Palace press secretary: Probe into PrimeWater's contracts to delve into possible conflict of interest involving Mark Villar," June 4, 2025. [5] Philippine Statistics Authority, "Inflation rate hits 1.4% in June 2025," June 30, 2025. [6] ABS-CBN News, "Documentary 'Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea' wins Tides of Change award," July 3, 2025. [7] ourwebsite.com, "TV-radio host and entertainment columnist Lolit Solis passes away at 78," July 3, 2025.
The investigation into PrimeWater, a major water utility firm, is expected to delve into a possible conflict of interest involving Mark Villar, given his tenure as Secretary of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the increase in PrimeWater's joint venture agreements with the Local Water Utilities Administration (LWUA), an attached agency under the Villar-led DPWH, in 2019. Meanwhile, in other news, the award-winning documentary "Food Delivery: Fresh from the West Philippine Sea" recently won the Tides of Change award at the Doc Edge Festival in Auckland, New Zealand.
