Chiz suspends construction of 'costly' Senate building

Senate President Francis Escudero has ordered the suspension of construction work on the new Senate building in Taguig City due to an aggregated cost of P23 billion, which he called “shocking and in bad taste.”

- CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE

In a chance interview with Senate reporters yesterday, Escudero revealed that he was surprised to learn about the P23-billion allocation for the construction of the Senate’s new building, which he noted was only bid out for P8.9 billion.

The Senate president was quick to clarify that the suspension order was not due to questionable matters, but he just viewed the cost as excessive.

“It is shocking and in bad taste that the Senate would spend this much for our new home and office,” he said. “With the many bills that I am asked to sign, I want to look at it first and check it carefully if it is really appropriate.”

Escudero said they would also look at how the cost can be reduced.

Initially budgeted at P8.9 billion, he revealed that the cost of the project has ballooned to P13 billion, with an additional P10 billion required for completion, bringing the total to P23 billion.

“For me, it’s a bit hard to swallow and it’s really surprising,” he said.

Escudero announced his decision to suspend the construction of the new Senate building during his first flag-raising ceremony as Senate chief, informing officials and employees that the planned transfer to the new building would be delayed.

“It is not true that we will be able to move to the new building and land this September. It is also not true that we will be able to move before the end of the year. Even until 2025, I don’t think it will be because there are still many things that need to be prepared and there are also many things that we have seen and experienced that still need to be analyzed and studied,” he said.

Escudero noted that the unexpectedly high amount of expenses is particularly hard to accept given the economic crisis faced by most Filipinos.