No decision yet on water firm

The jury is still out on the proposed Maynilad water rate hike petition, Presidential Spokesman Renato Corona said yesterday.

Corona belied reports (not in The STAR) that President Arroyo and the Cabinet have taken up the recommendation of Finance Secretary Alberto Romulo to reject the Maynilad petition for higher water rates through the automatic currency exchange rate adjustment (CERA).

"The instructions of the President are to find a win-win solution. Perhaps this is his (Romulo’s) recommendation only for Cabinet discussions," Corona said. "There is no final decision yet." – Marichu Villanueva