Robin Padilla files reso seeking probe on new Senate building

Senator Robin Padilla has filed a resolution seeking a Senate inquiry into the cost of the new Senate building (NSB).

Although the Senate Committee on Accounts led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has already started the inquiry, Padilla still filed proposed Senate Resolution 1063, which directs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media to launch the same.

Padilla chairs the Senate Committee on Public Information and Mass Media.

"Informing the public of the processes undertaken in the construction of the NSB including the increased costs, is necessary to ensure that the public does not lose its trust in the Senate as an institution," he said in the resolution.

"There is a need to let the public know of the partner contractors, if any, and subcontractors of Hilmarc's Construction Corp.," he added.

Padilla noted that Section 1, Article XI of the 1987 Constitution, highlights that "public office is a public trust," and public officers and employees must at all times remain "accountable to the people."

"Being part of one of the main branches of the government, it is incumbent upon the Senate to set the example of transparency and accountability not only to the entire bureaucracy but more importantly, to the Filipino people," Padilla said.

Cayetano launched the inquiry into the new Senate building last Wednesday after Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero ordered a review on the cost of its construction, noting that funding has already reached P23 billion.

Senator Nancy Binay, who chaired the Senate accounts committee before Cayetano, has denied that the cost has reached P23 billion but only P21 billion.

Briefing

In a virtual interview, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian suggested a briefing with all the senators to discuss the details of the new Senate building and decide the actions to move forward.

"Ako, gusto ko move forward e. Ang maganda diyan magkaroon ng isang briefing session para maintindihan ng lahat ng senador, all the 23, kung nasaan na 'yung building, kung paano magtipid...at kung saan kailangan mag-cut para maging reasonable naman yung cost ng building," he said.

(Personally, I focus on ways to move forward. The best thing that I can think of is to have a briefing session with all the 23 senators and discuss the status of the building and how we can cut the cost so it could be reasonable.)

Gatchalian believes that the recent heated exchange between Binay and Cayetano is just a matter of miscommunication and misunderstanding.

"Mga kaibigan ko ‘yan…Ang payo ko sa kanila mag-usap nang mabuti alam ko naman sila ang intensyon nila para sa ikabubuti ng Senado doon tayo mag-focus at mag-usap sila alam ko naman good-hearted sila,” he said.

(Both of them are my friends and I advise them to sit down and talk because I know both have good intentions. We should focus on that because I know they are good-hearted.) — KBK/RSJ, GMA Integrated News