Press Release - Chiz suspends new senate building construction pending comprehensive review

Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero announced on Monday that he has ordered the suspension of the construction work on the new Senate building in Taguig City, citing concerns over escalating costs and the need for a comprehensive review.

Escudero made the announcement during his first flag-raising ceremony as Senate chief, informing officials and employees that the planned transfer to the new building will be delayed.

"Hindi totoo na makakalipat tayo sa bagong gusali, lupa at building ng Setyembre. Hindi rin totoo na aabot tayo makalipat bago matapos ang taon. Kahit hanggang 2025, sa palagay ko ay hindi pa rin dahil marami pang bagay na kailangang ihanda at maraming bagay din na aming nakita at nagisnan na kailangan pang suriin at pag-aralan," Escudero said.

Escudero expressed his shock and disbelief at the unexpectedly high projected costs needed to complete the new Senate building, noting that these expenses are particularly hard to accept given the economic crisis faced by most Filipinos.

"Nung nakita ko ito, medyo nagulantang ako at hindi ko inasahan na ganun kalaki aabutin ang gagastusin para sa ating magiging bagong tahanan," Escudero said.

"Sa aking pananaw, masama ito sa panlasa ng karamihan, lalong masama sa panlasa ng nakararami nating mga kababayan, lalo na sa gitna ng krisis ng ekonomiya at sa kahirapan na nakikita ng marami sa ating kababayan," he added.

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

"Para sa akin, medyo mabigat lunukin at kagulat-gulat naman talaga," Escudero remarked.

In response to these findings, Escudero said he has already given specific instructions to Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the new chairman of the Committee on Accounts, who is responsible for ensuring the smooth transfer of the Senate to the new building and overseeing the project's quality and timeliness.

"Inutusan ko na si Senator Cayetano, base na rin sa kanyang rekomendasyon at sulat, na ipagpaliban muna anumang bayarin o gawain hangga't hindi natin nasusuri at napag-aaralan," Escudero said.

Accordi