Arlegui mansion renovation complete

MANILA, Philippines - After 10 days of renovation, the Arlegui mansion is now available for the use of the transition team of president-apparent Sen. Benigno Aquino III.

Presidential Management Staff (PMS) director general Elena Bautista-Horn said she is hoping that the Aquino transition team would accept the offer of the Arroyo administration to use the Arlegui Mansion, considering that a lot of effort was put into making the place usable as an office.

Bautista-Horn estimated that the renovations cost only P180,000 but the cash-out of the Palace was a mere P46,000 for the food of the volunteers from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Engineering Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Office of the President and PMS.

All of the equipment used for the renovations, including the paint and wood, were taken from the inventory of the executive branch, thus the low cash-out.

“What was done here was to make it appear fit for a president and his Cabinet, so it looks like an executive’s office. But it’s very utilitarian, we only included what was necessary,” she said.

Bautista-Horn gave the media a tour of the mansion yesterday to show the renovation and it was clear that no major work was undertaken.

The rooms were repainted, the fixtures repaired and several pieces of furniture were transported for the use of the intended occupant.

Bautista-Horn noted that some of the furniture were taken from the property of the Malacañang Museum, specifically a number of Marcos-era tables and chairs, which she said were not being used.

Since these were old, she noted that they were bulky and admitted that it might not appeal to the incoming administration.

“I really don’t know (if Aquino will like the place) because I am not familiar with his tastes. But I hope that they would appreciate that all of the furniture here are recycled,” she said.

“We hope that they would not mind this because what is important is it’s usable.” She said that Aquino and his Cabinet would also enjoy some privacy since the mansion has its own gate and several air-conditioned rooms to keep their guests comfortable.

Aquino would also be free to smoke inside the mansion since it is a privately-owned property and is not covered by the laws prohibiting smoking inside government buildings.

She reiterated that the renovations were done for the purpose of preparing an office for the transition teams of the Aquino and Arroyo sides and not as a place of residence for the incoming president or any one else.