# GSIS Building > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/GSIS_Building > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/GSIS_Building.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSIS_Building > Source revision: 1355516373 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Administrative complex in Pasay, Metro Manila}} {{Use Philippine English|date=November 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox building | name = GSIS Building | image = GSIS Building (Pasay; 12-13-2020).jpg | caption = | pushpin_map = Metro Manila | image_size = 260px | address = GSIS Bldg, Financial Center, [Jose W. Diokno Boulevard](/source/Jose_W._Diokno_Boulevard) | location_town = [Pasay](/source/Pasay) | location_country = [Philippines](/source/Philippines) | coordinates = {{coord|14|32|48|N|120|59|1|E|display=inline,title}} | architect = Jorge Ramos | client = | construction_start_date = | completion_date = | inauguration_date = | floor_area = }} The '''GSIS Building''' is the headquarters of the [Government Service Insurance System](/source/Government_Service_Insurance_System) (GSIS), the corporation that handles social security of the employees of the [government of the Philippines](/source/government_of_the_Philippines). Located in [the city of Pasay](/source/Pasay), it is also the seat of the [Commission on Appointments](/source/Commission_on_Appointments) (CA) and [Senate](/source/Senate_of_the_Philippines). ==Old building== The original headquarters of the GSIS was on Arroceros Street, [Manila](/source/Manila). Built in 1957, it was designed by [Federico Ilustre](/source/Federico_Ilustre). Gerald Lico said that it "adhered to a stylistic tendency that stood at the intersection between Neoclassical and modern aesthetics" in his book ''Arkitekturang Filipino''. ===Assassination of former governor Juan Alberto=== On September 18, 1967, former [Catanduanes](/source/Catanduanes) [governor](/source/Governor_of_Catanduanes) Juan M. Alberto was at the GSIS building when he was assassinated by an unknown gunman.{{cite news |title=Gov. Alberto slain [-] Suspect nabbed, denies role in slay |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=207 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Company |date=September 19, 1967 |page=1 |quote=Governor [Juan] Alberto was waiting for an elevator ride on the ground floor of the GSIS building when he was gunned down shortly before noon yesterday. }} Alberto had been waiting for an elevator at the building's ground floor when the gunman shot him in the head at close range and fled the scene, with witnesses claiming to have seen him escape with two other accomplices. The [National Bureau of Investigation](/source/National_Bureau_of_Investigation_(Philippines)), the [Manila Police District](/source/Manila_Police_District) and the [Criminal Investigation Service](/source/Criminal_Investigation_and_Detection_Group) soon named a distant relative of [Salvador Rodolfo Sr.](/source/Salvador_A._Rodolfo_Sr.) as the prime suspect in Alberto's assassination,{{cite news |title=FM forms special investigation team |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=212 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Corporation |date=September 24, 1967 |page=1 |quote=The police identified the man as Eulalio Vargas, 40, a relative of Maj. Salvador Rodolfo[...] }}{{cite news |title=Alberto case snagged |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=213 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Corporation |date=September 25, 1967 |page=1 |quote=A security team went to the house of the witness, but the mother of the girl reportedly refused to allow her daughter to leave. The mother was reported to have expressed fears for the life of her daughter. }} with the number of suspects increasing to four after nine days of investigation.{{cite news |title=Alberto slay: Double-cross is new motive |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=216 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Corporation |date=September 28, 1967 |page=1 |quote=The twist developed as PC operatives are set to pick up four suspects, including a woman, whose identities have been established. }}{{cite news |title=Suspect quizzed today |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=217 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Corporation |date=September 29, 1967 |page=1 |quote=This man will be the second suspect who reportedly bears the striking resemblance of the gunman who fire the .45 caliber pistol, killing Alberto with a single shot on the ground floor of the GSIS building on Sept. 18. }}{{cite news |title=Witness identifies Alberto gunman |work=[The Manila Times](/source/The_Manila_Times) |volume=XXII |issue=218 |publisher=The Manila Times Publishing Corporation |date=September 30, 1967 |page=1 |quote=A witness to the slaying of[...] Juan M. Alberto yesterday identified the suspected gunman from a police photograph. }} ===Planned demolition=== In 2017, it was reported it much of the structure will be demolished, save for the facade. The Manila Hall of Justice will be built in its place.{{Cite web |last=Sembrano |first=Edgar Allan |date=May 7, 2017 |title=Hall of Justice to replace old GSIS building in Manila |url=https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/261981/hall-justice-replace-old-gsis-building-manila/ |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=Inquirer Lifestyle |language=en-US |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723225532/https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/261981/hall-justice-replace-old-gsis-building-manila/ |url-status=live }} Two years earlier, it was proposed to be used as a homeless shelter.{{Cite web |last=Ronda |first=Rainier Allan |date=October 4, 2015 |title=Abandoned GSIS building eyed as shelter for homeless families |url=https://www.philstar.com/metro/2015/10/04/1507179/abandoned-gsis-building-eyed-shelter-homeless-families |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=philstar.com |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724010725/https://www.philstar.com/metro/2015/10/04/1507179/abandoned-gsis-building-eyed-shelter-homeless-families |url-status=live }} Although the eighth groundbreaking for the new building was done in 2012, no actual construction happened until 2019.{{Cite web |last=Torres-Tupas |first=Tetch |date=October 22, 2019 |title=P2.8 B state-of-the-art Manila Hall of Justice to rise soon |url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1180520/p2-8-b-state-of-the-art-manila-hall-of-justice-to-rise-soon |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=INQUIRER.net |language=en |archive-date=January 1, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250101002602/https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1180520/p2-8-b-state-of-the-art-manila-hall-of-justice-to-rise-soon |url-status=live }} The Supreme Court said that the new building will be built by June 2022.{{Cite web |last=Banzuelo |first=Neil |date=October 22, 2019 |title=Manila Hall of Justice eyed for completion by June 2022 |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2019/10/22/260397/manila-hall-of-justice-eyed-for-completion-by-june-2022/ |access-date=October 14, 2023 |website=BusinessWorld Online |language=en-US |archive-date=February 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250223111320/https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2019/10/22/260397/manila-hall-of-justice-eyed-for-completion-by-june-2022/ |url-status=live }} In December 2024, the Supreme Court said that construction will begin on the first quarter of 2025; the delay was due to a design flaw that found in the original plans.{{Cite web |title=Long-awaited Manila Hall of Justice to start construction in 1Q 2025 |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239742 |access-date=May 21, 2025 |website=Philippine News Agency |language=en |archive-date=December 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241211082551/https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239742 |url-status=live }} == New building == The new headquarters in Pasay was designed by Jorge Ramos.{{Cite web |date=December 21, 2009 |title=Past meets future at Apartment Ridge |url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2009/12/21/534145/past-meets-future-apartment-ridge |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=philstar.com |archive-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723225532/https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2009/12/21/534145/past-meets-future-apartment-ridge |url-status=live }} The Senate transferred to the GSIS Building in 1997, after sitting at the [Old Congress Building](/source/Old_Congress_Building%2C_Manila) in Manila. President [Joseph Estrada](/source/Joseph_Estrada), comparing the Old Congress Building and the GSIS building, said that the latter looks like a bank, while the former had character and ambiance.{{Cite web |date=May 25, 2015 |title=House a homeowner while Senate remains homeless |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/05/25/opinion/columnists/house-a-homeowner-while-senate-remains-homeless/186532/ |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=The Manila Times |language=en-US |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724004503/https://www.manilatimes.net/2015/05/25/opinion/columnists/house-a-homeowner-while-senate-remains-homeless/186532/ |url-status=live }} On November 30, 2025, a fire broke out at the Senate's Legislative Technical Affairs Bureau located in the third floor, causing water damage to the Senate's session hall.{{Cite web |title=Fire hits Senate building |url=https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/12/01/2491044/fire-hits-senate-building |access-date=November 1, 2025 |website=The Philippine Star |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251130163648/https://www.philstar.com/nation/2025/12/01/2491044/fire-hits-senate-building |url-status=live }} === Usage by the GSIS === The GSIS houses a museum, the [GSIS Museo ng Sining](/source/GSIS_Museo_ng_Sining), in the building.{{Cite web |title=Philippines to host 'Freedom & Love' exhibit |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/15/weekly/the-sunday-times/arts-awake/philippines-to-host-freedom-love-exhibit/616246/ |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=The Manila Times |date=September 15, 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=December 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214180246/https://www.manilatimes.net/2019/09/15/weekly/the-sunday-times/arts-awake/philippines-to-host-freedom-love-exhibit/616246/ |url-status=live }} Its theater hosted the funeral of former Senate President [Jovito Salonga](/source/Jovito_Salonga) in 2016.{{Cite web |last=Musico |first=Jelly |date=March 16, 2016 |title=President Aquino, LP family pay tribute to former Senate President Jovito Salonga |url=http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2016/03/16/president-aquino-lp-family-pay-tribute-former-senate-president-jovito-salonga/ |access-date=July 24, 2020 |website=Philippine Canadian Inquirer |language=en-CA |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724160431/http://www.canadianinquirer.net/2016/03/16/president-aquino-lp-family-pay-tribute-former-senate-president-jovito-salonga/ |url-status=live }} === Usage by the Senate === The Senate, which meets in a separate place from the [House of Representatives](/source/House_of_Representatives_of_the_Philippines) which is in the [Batasang Pambansa Complex](/source/Batasang_Pambansa_Complex), rents usage of the building from the GSIS. In 2009, Senator [Miriam Defensor Santiago](/source/Miriam_Defensor_Santiago) urged the Senate to build its own building, as they are paying 7.8 million pesos for the building and 500,000 pesos for the parking lot, every month. This totaled to almost 100 million pesos in a year.{{Cite web |last=Lim Uy |first=Sasha |date=May 28, 2019 |title=The Senate is About to Get a Stylish New Home, After Decades of Planning |url=https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/the-senate-building-is-about-to-get-a-face-lift-a00204-20180529 |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=Esquiremag.ph |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724151110/https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/the-senate-building-is-about-to-get-a-face-lift-a00204-20180529 |url-status=live }} By 2017, Senator [Panfilo Lacson](/source/Panfilo_Lacson), who is also the chairman of the [Committee on Accounts](/source/Philippine_Senate_Committee_on_Accounts), said that the Senate has paid 2.24 billion pesos to the GSIS since 1996. Arguing that the Senate could have paid for a new building with this amount, there had been moves to find a new building for the Senate. The [Manila Film Center](/source/Manila_Film_Center) was suggested, but due to urban legends of it being haunted by the ghosts of the construction workers who died building it, the Senate decided to look for other options.{{Cite web |date=November 27, 2017 |title=Homeless no more? |url=https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/11/27/homeless-no-more/ |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=[Business Mirror](/source/Business_Mirror) |language=en-US |archive-date=July 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724054947/https://businessmirror.com.ph/2017/11/27/homeless-no-more/ |url-status=live }} Lacson spearheaded a successful vote approving the transfer of the Senate to [a new building](/source/New_Senate_Building_(Philippines)) in [Taguig](/source/Taguig).{{Cite web |last=Lardizabal |first=Cecille |date=November 21, 2017 |title=Senators agree to move Office of the Senate to Taguig |url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/11/21/gatchalian-lacson-senate-offices-move-taguig.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123144635/http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/11/21/gatchalian-lacson-senate-offices-move-taguig.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |access-date=July 23, 2020 |website=[CNN Philippines](/source/CNN_Philippines) |language=en }} The Senate has its museum in the building.{{Cite web |last=Canet |first=Carla N. |date=July 27, 2018 |title=Visiting the Senate Museum |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/bacolod/lifestyle/visiting-the-senate-museum |access-date=May 19, 2025 |website=Sunstar |language=English }} === Other usage === The [Philippine Olympic Committee](/source/Philippine_Olympic_Committee) announced that it will hold a special election for its officers in 2019 after meeting at the building.{{Cite web |last=Murillo |first=Michael Angelo S. |date=June 25, 2019 |title=Philippine Olympic Committee set for a special election {{!}} BusinessWorld |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/philippine-olympic-committee-set-for-a-special-election/ |access-date=July 24, 2020 |website=Business World |language=en-US |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725031832/https://www.bworldonline.com/philippine-olympic-committee-set-for-a-special-election/ |url-status=live }} == References == {{Reflist}} Category:Government buildings in the Philippines Category:Buildings and structures in Pasay Category:Legislative buildings Category:Seats of national legislatures Category:Senate of the Philippines Category:Brutalist architecture in the Philippines --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [GSIS Building](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSIS_Building) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GSIS_Building?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.