Escudero: Senate eyes move to new building by 2026-2027

The Senate is targeting a move to its new building in Taguig by late 2026 or late 2027, Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero said Monday.

“Hindi aaga ng December 2026 at sana hindi na lumampas ng December 2027,” Escudero said in a press conference.

(It won’t be earlier than December 2026, and hopefully, no later than December 2027.)

Since 2018, P23.5 billion has been allocated for the new Senate building, with P4.2 billion earmarked in the 2025 national budget.

Escudero said the final project cost is still being finalized.

“‘Yung amount ang tinitignan nila although pina-finalize nila ‘yong costing ay ipa-finalize. Hopefully, this week na ‘yon ‘yong ceiling amount natin para matapos ‘yon at hindi na rin lalampas doon,” the lawmaker said.

“Pwedeng bumaba pero hindi na dapat lumampas ‘yong amount para makumpleto,” he added.

(They are reviewing the total amount, but the ceiling cost should be set by this week to ensure it doesn’t exceed the budget. The cost may decrease, but it should not exceed the limit.)

While the target move is between 2026 and 2027, Escudero personally believed the transition should happen in 2028, after the national elections.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin mo, 2028 na kami dapat lumipat para ‘yong mga patapos ‘yong mga hindi na tatakbo ay hindi na gastusan pa ng pamahalaan sa mga opisina nila na anim na buwan na lang naman,” he said.

(If you ask me, we should transfer in 2028 so the government doesn’t have to spend on office spaces for outgoing senators who will only use them for six months.) — DVM, GMA Integrated News