Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said that the ongoing factual and independent review of the New Senate Building (NSB) is aimed at ensuring that it would be high quality at a reduced cost.

Cayetano addressed the media for the first time on Friday, June 21 regarding the controversies surrounding the NSB in an interview in the City of Santa Rosa in Laguna.

“First and foremost, sadya akong hindi nagpapa-interview (I decline interviews on purpose) because it’s a review and a fact-finding [activity]. Gustong-gusto ko man na pagbigyan ang media, pero para maging very fair ang ating review (Although I really want to talk to the media, I want the review to be fair so), I’d rather not comment until all the facts are in,” he said.

Cayetano underscored the importance of creating an “iconic and functional” building that will “symbolize democracy” that can make the public feel a sense of ownership.

“Kung magiging masyadong mahal o… kung pinaka-magiging maluho na building sa buong Pilipinas ito, hindi ito magiging simbolo ng democracy at pride ng ating mga kababayan, kundi kasusuklaman pa ng iba (If this will be too expensive or...this building would be too lavish, this will not be symbol of democracy and pride for our citizens, instead they would hate it),” he said.

As the chairperson of the Committee on Accounts (CA), Cayetano revealed that two concurrent reviews are ongoing: one focusing on the first and second phases of the project and the other scrutinizing the third phase, which requires an additional P10 billion.

“Sa Phase 1 and 2 na ongoing na ating itinatanong kung bakit maraming pagbabago at bakit ganoon ang presyo. Pero ongoing iyon at hindi tinitigil kasi pwede ka namang mag-review habang ginagawa (In Phases 1 and 2 we are asking all the changes and how the amount came out. But it is ongoing and will not stop since we can review while it's being constructed),” he said.

“Doon sa P10 billion na sumunod (Phase 3), tinitingnan natin kung (Here in the P10 billion [phase 3] we're checking the) ‘can you give the same quality [with lower costing].’ So ang (the) objective ng (of) Senate President, and I would assume ng (the) whole Senate, nandoon pa rin yung quality, secure pa rin y’ung building, pero ‘wag ganoon kalaki ang gastos (the quality is still there, the building is still secure, but not that costly),” he added.

Cayetano said the DPWH and a Senate coordinating group, including those from former CA chairs Senator Nancy Binay and former Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson, have been briefing him and Senate President Francis "Chiz" Escudero.

He said he also provided them with "additional instructions" for clearer project insights.

Cayetano gave assurance that all questions would be answered following the factual and independent review process.

Meanwhile, Sen. Loren Legarda expressed her support to the review saying that it would be good to see how much was the budget allocated because the Senate voted unanimously in favor of a new building.

"So we don't also want it to be a white elephant at the same time we do not want to overspend," she said in an interview.

When asked if Escudero and Cayetano would not be open to speaking to Binay, she said: "It's impossible, I don't think they won't be open because they must...communication is the key as you all know that. It all started in 2018 or 2019 so let's see the evolution of the budget, the evolution of the design, evolution of the expenses. There should be a comprehensive review and that can only be done through clear communication lines or let all documents be studied so that an enlightened decision can be made. But then again, I am not the leadership so i will go to their better judgment."

It was Escudero who mentioned that there is a need to review the NSB after learning that the expenses needed for its construction ballooned to P23 billion during a flag-raising ceremony last Monday, June 10.

Escudero expressed 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 most Filipinos face.

He mentioned that the NSB was initially budgeted at P8.9 billion and 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.

Yet Binay already said that the P23 billion that was mentioned is false.

"Maling mali po ang statements na sinasabi na from (P)8.9 to 23 (billion). Pinapalabas ho nila na ang amount na 8.9. tapos na ang building (The statement that total amount of construction grew from P8.9 to P23 billion. They're making it appear that just for P8.9 billion, the building is already complete)," she said.