Bautista: An honor for QC to host VP Leni

Mayor Herbert Bautista. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista clarified on Monday that the suggestion for incoming Vice President Leni Robredo to make the Reception House her office did not come from him.

Bautista also told the Inquirer that he was not informed before Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte offered the newly built structure to Robredo. Nevertheless, he said “it would be an honor for the city to host the Office of the Vice President (OVP).”

The property at 100 11th St. in Barangay Mariana, New Manila, Quezon City, used to be the “Boracay Mansion” which was reportedly part of the ill-gotten wealth of former President Joseph Estrada. The city government foreclosed it for nonpayment of real property taxes.

The two-story Mediterranean-style reception house project, including the landscaping and architectural finishes that were put on hold because of the elections, has a total cost of P183 million, documents from city hall showed. It was intended to be used by the city mayor for official functions.

As preparations are being made for the OVP to lease the building, Bautista used the reception house for a press briefing on Monday.

He said the city budget officer, Marian Orayani, would be in charge of the terms of the lease contract while Belmonte would head the coordination with the OVP. Bautista  added that the monthly rent would have to depend on the appraisal of the Commission on Audit which could be done within the week.