Building, FL’s gift to the film industry, also unfinished
THE Philippine Film Heritage Building (PFHB) in Intramuros in Manila, a project of First Lady Liza Marcos, was supposed to be completed and turned over to government yesterday.
However, it is still unfinished, said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro who toured the media at the P107.9-million PFHB project that was started in December 2024 and was supposed to be completed by September 4.
The construction firm, Great Pacific Builder and General Contractor Inc., is one of the nine firms of Sarah Discaya whose contractor license was recently revoked by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB). The Discaya firms are being linked to substandard and “ghost” flood controlled projects.
Castro said the PFHB is a project of the First Lady that was implemented by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
Data from the DPWH showed what was supposed to completed yesterday was the second phase of the entire project, which includes installation of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system of the building; installation of elevators, generator and fire alarms; setting up of network and data centers; painting and other finishing touches in the building.
The actual construction of the building on the 800-square meter property was undertaken under Phase 1, from October 2023 to October 2024.
The First Lady inspected the building yesterday but did not face the media. Castro said Mrs. Marcos was hurt and disappointed that the government was not spared from anomalies.
She said the project was supposed to be a gift from the First Lady to the film industry.
“Sabi niya (FL), ang pakiramdam niya, tayo pa ba na nasa gobyerno, magbibigay lang sana ng isang regalo sa film industry, silang naloko. (She said we in government, who would only give a gift to the film industry, were fooled),” she said.
Castro said she is not an engineer, but if she had to guess, the project, is about 60 percent finished.
She said that based on what they have seen of the finished parts of the building, it could be described as “substandard” or “way beyond standard.”
She said among the problems found were dents in elevators, lack of tiles in some of the rooms, lack of heat insulation, lack of downspouts at the main entrance, and exposed beams and pipes along the main stairs and some offices.
A cinema, one of the main features of the building, is also still incomplete. She said it would take “one more month to finish.”
Workers present at the site said they were aiming to finish the cinema by September 15, Castro said.
Castro also said none of the Discayas has contacted the government to provide an update on the construction.
Castro also said charges could be filed against the contractor if it fails to deliver.
The office of the Discaya-owned firm, St. Gerrard Construction, in Pasig City was vandalized yesterday by members of militant and other groups calling for the detention of the Discayas and corrupt politicians, among others.
The protesters carried placards and banners with the word “magnanakaw” (thief), and some of them hurled mud and sprayed paint on the compound’s gate
Castro urged the public to stay calm after a protest was staged in front of the St. Gerrad Construction in Pasig City, one of the companies of the Discayas.
She said the President has already ordered an investigation into the anomalous flood control projects whose contracts were bagged by the Discayas, and an executive order creating an independent body to look into the flood control projects is already being finalized.
Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto asked the public not to resort to violence.
“I understand that we are angry and frustrated, but let’s not resort to violence or acts that could potentially lead to violence or injuries,” he said.
“The corrupt will not be harmed if the gate collapses, nor will they be hit by stones. My concern is for the security guards, workers, and even the protesters themselves,” he added.
Sotto said the Pasig government will continue to do its part with investigation, case buildup, and even prosecution.
VEHICLES
The PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) said it found “no irregularity” in the papers of eight of the 12 luxury vehicles of the Discaya family seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC).
The 12 vehicles were by the BOC based on a search warrant issued by a Manila court for possible violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act.
Malang said the BOC sought the assistance of the HPG in the “verification and validation” of eight of the vehicles.
“There is complete information on where they came from, what type of vehicles they are, what is the motor vehicle file number, what is the plate number, who is the registered owner,” said Malang in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Malang said vehicles pass through the HPG before these are registered with the Land Transportation Office.
“We did not see any irregularity in terms of ownership or registration issues. They are not subject of an alarm. We’ve verified the registered owner and other details,” said Malang in a phone interview.
“But as to how they were bought, we have no information on that … As to how they were purchased, we have no idea,” Malang also said, noting the vehicles were seized by the BOC for possible violation of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act. – With Christian Oineza and Victor Reyes
