The Villar family is confident that they will “fully and properly” defend their rights and address the criminal and administrative complaints filed against them by the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a joint statement released Friday, September 18, the Villar family said that they have learned through media reports of the complaints filed by the Office of the Ombudsman.

“As of this time, we have yet to receive copies of the complaints and therefore cannot meaningfully comment on their specific allegations,” the statement read.

The political clan said it respects the legal process and will respond to the complaints at the appropriate time and in the proper forum.

“In the meantime, we ask the legal process be allowed to take its course and that conclusions not be drawn before the parties have been afforded the opportunity to be heard,” it ended.

Earlier, Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano announced in a press briefing that Senators Mark Villar and Camille Villar, along with former politician Manny Villar, former senator Cynthia Villar, Manuel Paolo Villar, and PrimeWater officials, are facing graft raps over “grossly disadvantageous” joint venture agreements of PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation (PWIC) with local water districts.

According to Clavano, 75 local water districts (LWDs) had entered into joint venture agreements with PWIC.

The said company has reportedly failed to supply uninterrupted water service and has instead provided water that failed to meet drinking water standards.