In a heated session meant to clarify the rising costs of the new Senate building in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Nancy Binay clashed over financial discrepancies and personal grievances.
Cayetano, chair of the Senate committee on accounts, initiated the probe following Senate President Chiz Escudero’s order for a comprehensive review of the project’s escalating expenses. Escudero expressed shock upon learning the construction costs had soared to PHP 23 billion, though he clarified that his concern was purely about cost management, not irregularities.
During the hearing on July 3, Binay, the former chair of the accounts committee, disputed Cayetano’s PHP 23 billion figure, asserting the cost was only PHP 21.7 billion. Cayetano attributed the higher amount to land acquisition costs, accusing Binay of spreading misinformation.
Cayetano questioned Binay’s public statements, saying, “You’ve been going around saying na mali ‘yung number namin. Kung mali, correct it, pero ang nagbigay ng number sa amin staff mo.” Despite Binay’s attempts to clarify, Cayetano frequently interrupted her.
Binay countered, “Bakit naman ako magbibigay ng question sa media? Baka gawain ‘nyo yung nagbibigay ng tanong. Excuse me!”
The two senators have a contentious history, with Cayetano having previously led an investigation into alleged overpricing in Makati infrastructure projects managed by the Binay family.
The construction contract for the new Senate building, awarded to Hilmarc’s Construction Corporation by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), came under scrutiny. Binay accused Cayetano of stifling the DPWH’s opportunity to present their side.
At one point, Cayetano resorted to name-calling, addressing Binay as “Lourdes” instead of “Marites” (a slang term for gossipmongers), and emphasized the need to resolve the issue professionally.
In response to Binay’s inquiries, DPWH Undersecretary Emil Sadain confirmed there was no PHP 23 billion amount in their records. Following this, Binay concluded, “Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I made my point. There’s no such thing as PHP 23 billion sa (in) DPWH,” and exited the room.