Makati, Taguig ‘war’ eyed in Senate building issue

MANILA, Philippines — The territorial dispute and political rivalry between the local governments of Makati and Taguig could be the reason behind Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano’s beef about the new Senate building, Sen. Nancy Binay said yesterday.

Binay made the remark after Cayetano allegedly refused to talk to her about the issue, as she prepares for today’s Senate accounts committee hearing for a “review” of the ballooning costs of the building.

“At first, I didn’t want to believe the political angle. But I am being convinced as this issue progresses that this is still about the Taguig-Makati issue,” Binay said at a press briefing.

Cayetano is the new chairman of the Senate accounts committee after Binay resigned following the ouster of Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri as Senate president.

Binay is considering running for Makati mayor in the May 2025 midterm elections to replace her sister, incumbent Mayor Abby Binay.

Abby had locked horns with Cayetano’s wife, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, over a territorial dispute involving 10 enlisted men’s barrio or “embo” barangays previously under Makati’s jurisdiction.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the embo barangays belong to Taguig, significantly reducing Makati’s voter base.

The senator denied that the cost of Phases I and II of the Senate’s new house in Taguig was overpriced.

The first phase worth P8.067 billion is for the “core and shell” of the building such as engineering, plumbing as well as earth, electrical and concrete works. The second phase amounting to P2.375 billion is for the finishings such as doorways, windows and tiles.

Binay accused a colleague of “backstabbing” her and spreading rumors against her.

She did not name the senator.