Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Friday, July 5 called on the new Senate leadership to discuss all concerns and information about the construction of the New Senate Building (NSB) as a body to ease the ongoing misunderstanding among members of the upper chamber on the issue.
Gatchalian made the call following the heated verbal exchanges between Senators Nancy Binay and Alan Peter Cayetano during the public review of the NSB conducted by the Senate Committee on Accounts, now chaired by the latter.
The senator said that while he understands the need to hold a public hearing to discuss the issue regarding the cost of the NSB, all senators need to be briefed on the details of the project, moving forward.
“Ang pinaka maganda, ang suggestion ko talaga, mag usap usap ang Senate as a body at ma-brief mga senador nasaan na ba ang building na ito, kung ano ba laman nitong building at bakit naging P23-billion (I think the best, and my suggestion is, for the Senate to discuss this as a body and all senators be briefed about the status of the building, what’s inside of this building and why it reched P23-billion),” Gatchalian said in an online interview.
Since the decision to build the NSB was made by the Senate as a body, the senator said it is important for all the members of the chamber to be involved in the discussion.
“Since it was the decision of the Senate as a body, first during the 17th Congress, 18th Congress, and now the 19th Congress, and it is continuous, it’s very important that as a body, the Senate discusses this so that other senators can also comment on it. That’s how I see it moving forward,” he stressed.
“When I say decision, I meant the budget that was allocated for it and approved upon by the body. It wasn’t approved by just one person. It wasn’t approved by Sen. Nancy Binay herself. So it’s imperative that the body is briefed; where the funds are going, and what should be done,” he said.
“Should we cut the multi-year allocations? If it is cut, what would the building look like? The building is already standing, so if the allocations are cut, then obviously there are some sacrifices that would have to be made.
Nevertheless, Gatchalian said he understands the need for the Senate to save on funds and as a body, senators can come up with suggestions and ideas on how to cut the cost.
“I do agree on that matter, because as you see with our present building (at the GSIS building), it’s not physically appealing but we are surviving. So if this new building can help us ways to save, then I do also agree on that),” he stressed.