Handout photo from Senate President Francis Escudero's office shows him inspecting the new Senate building in Taguig on Feb. 12, 2025. 

MANILA — Senate President Francis Escudero believes there is no overpricing in the New Senate Building, after his visit on Wednesday.

Escudero told reporters he inspected the building for the first time earlier in the day.

"Para sakin, wala naman kung may magrereklamo dun namin haharapin yun. Pero para sakin di ko trabaho maghanap ng butas. Trabaho ko tapusin yun sa pinakamababang gastos na puwede namin gawin," he said when asked if there should be an investigation on the delays and alleged overpricing. 

(For me, there is no problem — if someone raises a complaint, we will face it. But, for me, it is not my job to find fault. My job is to complete this at the lowest cost we can)

He said that, based on his inspection, the construction of the new Senate building was not overpriced.

Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the building is the "most expensive" in the country.

'SIMPLER DESIGN PREFERRED'

"Yung floor area malawak naman talaga. Pero kung ako ang tatanungin mo, hindi ko pipiliin yung ganda. Mas pipiliin ko yung mura at practical. We simply must have to make do with what we have," Escudero said. 

(The floor are is really spacious. But if you ask me, I would not choose based on aesthetics. I would go for what is lower cost and practical)

The Senate president said he would have preferred a simpler design instead of the current design of four towers.

"Hindi na natin pwede pagdebatehan yung paggawa niyan kasi nakatayo na yung building," he said.

(We can no loner debate the construction of the building because it is already there)

He said he has been briefed on the building by the Department of Public Works and Highways and by the Senate's technical staff and would have better answers to questions on the project in coming days.

Escudero said the final price cap was pegged at P31 billion but this is not yet the actual amount subject to bidding.

"Hindi pwede lumampas. Yun ang hamon sa amin, mapababa pa (We cannot go beyond that, so that is the challenge, for us to lower the cost further)," he added.

Escudero clarified the final price cap includes the acquisition cost of the land the building is being built on.

The new Senate building will have offices for the senators, their staff and Commission on Appointments.

It will also have a bigger detention facility for witnesses or resource persons who may be detained in the Senate.

Escudero said they target to move to the new building after the 2028 elections.