MANILA — No one said there were irregularities.

This was the comment of Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero on Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri’s statement that he is confident no irregularities will be seen on the construction of the new Senate building in Taguig City.

The Senate Committee on Accounts is set to hold a hearing on Wednesday to review the said project.

“Nobody alleged irregularity. I’m not alleging any irregularity. I never alleged irregularity. I don’t know why people are sounding too defensive about this,” Escudero said on Monday.

“Ang sinabi ko lamang hindi ba, masyadong mataas at parang masama sa panlasa na ganito kalaking halaga ang kailangang gastusin para sa isang gusali ng pamahalaan,” Escudero added. “Wala akong sinabi na anomalya…kung payag kayo diyan eh di kayo kaya niyo sigurong sikmurain ‘yun. Ako hindi.”

(What I said was the cost is too high and it doesn’t seem to sit well that we need to spend this much for a government building. I didn’t say any anomaly…maybe they can stomach that but I can’t.)

In June, Escudero said the construction ballooned from P8.9 billion to P23 billion.

The Senate leader emphasized that it is his job and obligation to study and look for ways to bring down the cost.

He said former Committee on Accounts Chairperson Senator Nancy Binay has not talked to him yet.

The current committee chair, Senator Alan Cayetano, called for the hearing to make the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) answer their questions and submit certain documents as it was not being cooperative, according to Escudero.

He clarified that work on the P10 billion phase was the only suspension the Senate ordered pending review; the other buildings are ongoing construction, although delayed due to the slow down order of DPWH and not because of the hearing.

“May hindi pinagkakasunduan ang kontratista at DPWH kaugnay sa mga may depektong nagawa o ginawa o hindi tama o kulang. At dahil hindi rin siya nababayaran, nag slow down din siya,” Escudero said.

(The contractor and DPWH did not agree on something and because there was a delay in payment, the construction slowed down.)

“Bago kami nagpahearing ay tuloy-tuloy naman ‘yung naunang bi-nid na 8.9 billion. Nauna namang na-negotiate na nila yung P2.3 billion. Hindi naman namin inantala ‘yun,” he explained.

(Before we scheduled a hearing, the construction of the 8.9 billion building was continuous. They were able to negotiate the 2.3 billion. There was no delay there.)

Escudero wants to know the final amount needed for the entire building, including the maintenance.