In a recent statement, members of the House of Representatives criticized Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III for questioning the chamber’s budget while diverting attention from the costly New Senate Building project in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Zamboanga Rep. Jay Khonghun expressed his disappointment in Pimentel’s actions, suggesting that instead of attacking congressmen, he should appreciate the new Senate leadership’s decision to prioritize good governance by suspending construction on the new Senate building pending a thorough review.
The Young Guns, a group of House members, had previously raised concerns about the Senate’s budget for the NSB, which had increased from an initial estimate of P14.4 billion to a staggering P23.3 billion. This prompted Pimentel to point out the significant budget increase for the House of Representatives as well, from P16 billion in the proposed budget to P28 billion in the General Appropriations Act of 2024.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Jil Bongalon dismissed Pimentel’s attempt to shift the focus to the House’s budget, emphasizing that the House does not have a P23 billion building project like the Senate.
1-Rider party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in public spending, urging officials to welcome scrutiny and explain the reasons behind the escalating costs of the Senate building project.
Assistant Majority Leader and La Union Rep. Paolo Ortega echoed the sentiment, calling for clarity on why the NSB budget had skyrocketed to P23.3 billion from the original allocation of P8.9 billion. It is crucial, he emphasized, to ensure responsible use of public funds and avoid distractions from the core issue at hand.
