NO OVERPRICING IN NEW SENATE BUILDING – CHIZ

SENATE President Francis “Chiz” Escudero has expressed belief that there is no overpricing in the construction of the new Senate building.

Escudero issued the statement following his inspection on Wednesday of the Senate’s new home in Taguig.

The construction of the Senate building was stalled due to a review of its ballooning costs.

“Para sakin, wala naman kung may magrereklamo dun namin haharapin ‘yun. Pero para sakin ‘di ko trabaho maghanap ng butas. Trabaho ko tapusin ‘yun sa pinakamababang gastos na puwede namin gawin,” he said when asked if there should be an investigation on the delays and alleged overpricing. 

He said that, based on his inspection, the construction of the new Senate building was not overpriced.

Earlier, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said the building is the “most expensive” in the country.

According to Escudero, the floors of the new Senate building are really spacious.

“Yung floor area malawak naman talaga. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin mo, hindi ko pipiliin yung ganda. Mas pipiliin ko ‘yung mura at practical. We simply must have to make do with what we have,” the Senate leader said.

The Senate president said he would have preferred a simpler design instead of the current design of four towers.

“Hindi na natin pwede pagdebatehan ‘yung paggawa niyan kasi nakatayo na ‘yung building,” he said.

Escudero said the four towers of the building, the plenary hall with sunroof, and its hallways and offices would justify the cost of P31 billion.

The new Senate building will have offices for the senators, their staff members and the Commission on Appointments (COA).

The building will also have a bigger detention facility for witnesses or resource persons who may be detained in the Senate.

The Senate is expected to move to its new home in 2028.