Duterte backs Senate transfer to Taguig

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has thrown his support to the Senate’s plan to move its offices from Pasay to an upscale business district in Taguig City.

Duterte said he would not oppose any proposal to transfer the Senate building.

“They are occupying a place that is not theirs. I think it is owned by the GSIS (Government Service Insurance System),” the President told reporters when he arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 from South Korea on Tuesday night. 

“Anywhere the Senate wants to build it, we will say Amen,” Duterte added. 

The Senate is renting a portion of the GSIS building in Pasay City. It is planning to move to a new building in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig by 2020. 

Sen. Panfilo Lacson defended the plan to construct a new Senate building in Taguig, which he said would benefit future legislators and the public.

“The Senate has been renting the use of its building from the GSIS and its parking lot from the Social Security System for nearly 20 years. It has been paying rental fees worth P127 million per year,” Lacson said.

“The cost of our lease payments have become enough to construct a permanent home for the Senate,” he added.

Lacson, who chairs the Senate committee on accounts, is overseeing the project to construct a new Senate building.

The Senate has chosen American engineering firm AECOM for the conceptual design of the new building.  – Marvin Sy