00:00After questioning the fund for the construction of this building,
00:05the plan of the new Senate building to be built in January 2025 was already set as a target.
00:12When will we be able to end its construction?
00:16That's what Mauve Gonzales is talking about.
00:21In January, one of the plans for the new Senate building is expected to be completed.
00:26According to the Senate Committee on Accounts Chairman, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano.
00:30Latest January, we expect DPWH to finalize and then to bid.
00:34I promise to be transparent to the Senate.
00:36That's why I didn't blow by blow.
00:39Because I'm counter-blow by blow that's not factual.
00:43It's like someone's fighting.
00:44Now that we got the figures of how much is everything,
00:49we're fixing that and then the value.
00:52But we're targeting the first quarter of 2027 to be completed.
00:58In June, Senate President Cheese Escudero reviewed the new Senate building
01:03because he was surprised by the sudden increase in its construction value,
01:07which reached more than P23 billion.
01:10Cayetano is not blaming anyone.
01:13I will submit a comprehensive report.
01:15But basically, the report is for the future.
01:18Because sadly, it's coming out as the most expensive building in the Philippines.
01:24Even more expensive than a five, six-star hotel.
01:27But at this point, we're not blaming any single circumstance or person per se.
01:32So it's mixed.
01:33My role now is not to expose.
01:35So I will not hide anything.
01:36But my role is to fix the plan, fix it, get the Senators to approve,
01:40get the Department to finish and put it up.
01:43There was a call to review the design plans and budget.
01:47Public Works Secretary Manny Bonoan also wrote to the Senate
01:51that if all the bidding procurement is done,
01:53the building can be finished within two years instead of four years as estimated by DPWH.
01:59Cayetano assured that the new Senate building is still of good quality
02:03even though their target is the lowest cost.
02:05For GMA Integrated News, I'm Mav Gonzalez.
02:08For Tutok, I'm Bente Cuatro Horas.
02:17Transcription by ESO. Translation by —
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