MANILA— Raffy Tulfo has raised doubts over the reported sale of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corp. to Crystal Bridges Corporation, citing speculation that the transaction may only be a front amid mounting complaints about water services.

During a February 24 hearing of the Senate Committee on Public Services, Tulfo said many consumers suspect that PrimeWater may still be involved in the company’s operations despite the reported transfer of ownership.

“I know may mga haka-haka na ginamit niyo lang itong Crystal Bridges, pero ang totoo, kayo pa kasama pa rin kayo sa pagpapatakbo ng PrimeWater,” he said.

The senator also flagged concerns over reports that Crystal Bridges had only ₱312,000 in assets, questioning how it could acquire and manage a major water service provider. He further noted the apparent speed of the deal and the lack of visible investigation or due diligence to determine whether the buyer had the capacity to operate PrimeWater.

An acquisition agreement between PrimeWater and Crystal Bridges was announced on December 16. However, according to reports cited during the hearing, local water districts with existing joint venture agreements (JVAs) with PrimeWater were not formally notified in writing about the transaction.

Tulfo stressed that PrimeWater should have ensured that any incoming company had sufficient experience, especially given the essential nature of water supply services.

Several local water districts also aired their grievances, saying they were not informed of the sale despite provisions in their JVAs. They said the reported transfer of ownership disregarded their contractual rights, as the company was allegedly sold without their consent.

Water districts in San Fernando, Pampanga and Floridablanca, Pampanga said they remain uncertain about their status. Both have expressed intent to terminate their JVAs with PrimeWater but said they are still bound by contracts they consider burdensome, even as service issues persist.

Tulfo also called for a clear contractual provision between PrimeWater and Crystal Bridges to ensure that existing legal cases or liabilities will not simply be shifted to the new entity. He added that under any new arrangement, water districts that no longer wish to renew their agreements should be released, while those that prefer to continue may do so under new management.

To clarify Crystal Bridges’ role in the transaction, Tulfo directed the committee secretariat to issue a subpoena to the company after it failed to attend the hearing, compelling its appearance in the next proceeding.