LAS Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has called on the Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) to block the proposed sale of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. to Crystal Bridges Holding Corp. of the Lucio Co Group, citing serious concerns over the growing private control of water—a vital public utility that affects millions of Filipinos nationwide.
Santos said the transaction raises fundamental issues of public interest, competition, and consumer protection, particularly as PrimeWater operates and manages numerous local water districts across the country.
“Water is not an ordinary commodity—it is a basic necessity and a public service. Any deal that further concentrates control of water utilities in private hands must be subjected to the highest level of scrutiny,” Santos said.
Once the transaction is completed, Crystal Bridges will assume full control of PrimeWater’s operations, further strengthening the Lucio Co Group’s footprint in the utilities sector.
However, both companies have yet to disclose the financial terms of the deal.
Santos questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the transaction, likening it to a consumer purchase with no price tag. “Para bang bumili ka ng washing machine sa isang mall—naiuwi mo ang produkto pero hindi mo alam kung magkano ang ibinayad mo sa kahera,” he said.
The lawmaker pointed out that the PCC has previously exercised its authority to block anti-competitive mergers. On February 12, 2019, the commission issued its first-ever decision prohibiting a proposed merger after rejecting the voluntary commitments of the parties involved.
In that case, the PCC blocked the merger of Universal Robina Corporation (URC) with Central Azucarera Don Pedro Inc. (CADPI) and Roxas Holdings Inc. (RHI), ruling that the deal would result in a monopoly in sugarcane milling services in Southern Luzon.
Santos said the precedent underscores the PCC’s mandate to promote fair market competition and protect consumer welfare by ensuring access to a wider choice of goods and services at reasonable prices.
He warned that unchecked consolidation in the water sector could lead to higher rates, reduced transparency, and weaker accountability—especially in areas where consumers already suffer from service disruptions and quality concerns.
Santos urged the PCC to conduct a thorough and transparent review of the PrimeWater transaction, taking into account its potential impact on competition, service delivery, and consumer welfare.
“The PCC has a clear mandate to protect the public from anti-competitive practices. This proposed sale should not proceed if it compromises fair competition or undermines the public’s right to accessible, affordable, and reliable water services,” he added.
Santos, along with Sen. Raffy Tulfo, has criticized the deal as a so-called routine corporate acquisition involving an essential public service carried out without meaningful public consultation.
Santos called on concerned government agencies and local water districts to assert their role in safeguarding public utilities, emphasizing that water resources must always be managed in the best interest of the Filipino people.
He reiterated his commitment to push for stronger oversight and reforms in the water sector to ensure that access to clean and affordable water remains a public priority—not merely a profit-driven enterprise.
