Many people assume that government agencies own the buildings that they are in. However, they’d be surprised to know that many are just tenants in their respective buildings.
Take the Office of the Vice President, for instance, which is currently housed in the Coconut Palace.
Located at the CCP Complex, it is the property of Government Service Insurance System, which charges a monthly rent.
At the start of outgoing Vice President Jejomar Binay’s term in 2010, the rent was at PHP440,000. Now, it’s gone up to PHP500,000.
Thus, incoming Vice President Leni Robredo isn’t keen on setting up an office there. This means that, with less than a month before her assumption of office, Robredo still has no official residence.
In a press briefing on Thu, June 2, Boyet Dy, head of Robredo’s transition team, revealed that Robredo is still scouting for a location. “It has to be simple, but at the same time presentable enough so that we can receive guests and dignitaries as part of her duty as vice president. It has to be simple and modest, and not as ostentatious. I think that’s very clear with what [Robredo] wants.”
A Philippine Daily Inquirer report recalled: “Outgoing Vice President Binay, who lost in the May 9 presidential election, had ordered the renovation of the nearly decrepit Coconut Palace when he opted to use it as his official headquarters after he won in 2010.”
