Investigation of Villar's PrimeWater political, Sara says

(UPDATE) VICE President Sara Duterte said that the investigation into the alleged failure of water utility PrimeWater Infrastructure Inc. to serve its customers is a form of harassment intended to scare off the administration's political enemies.

Duterte issued the statement after Malacañang said that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered a probe against the water utility after customers complained of long water service interruptions and low water pressure.

PrimeWater is owned by the family of former senator Manny Villar, whose daughter, House Deputy Speaker Camille Villar, is running for senator.

The younger Villar, who is part of the administration coalition, has been endorsed by Duterte and is included in her own senatorial slate alongside reelectionist Sen. Imee Marcos.

In her interview with reporters in Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday night, Duterte said that the move of the Marcos administration to investigate PrimeWater was due to politics.

"I have never seen the administration doing something for peace and prosperity for our nation and instead they attack those who they cannot scare off or pay off," she said.

Duterte also said that it "does not even matter" if Speaker Martin Romualdez would be replaced, noting that the "damage has been done," after a purported document coming from Malacañang — denied by the Palace — saying that Romualdez should be replaced by Navotas Rep. Toby Tiangco.

"What they did in our budget is wrong and corrupted. So even if we replace House Speaker Romualdez, we cannot bring back the money that was lost due to corruption," Duterte said.

She also answered the claim of Manila City government spokesman Princess Abante that she has no right to discredit her father, Manila 6th District Rep. Bienvenido Abante, and that she did nothing in his district.

"I did not begin it, Abante was the first one who destroyed my name without reason, and I should not forget that one of the extension offices of the Office of the Vice President is in Manila, in one of their village halls. It caters to the entire City of Manila and it is an extension of our Public Assistance Desk," Duterte said.