The Batasang Pambansa Complex
Construction of a new government complex that included a legislative building began in 1958 following the designation of Quezon City as the new capital. It was intended to be the home of the bicameral Congress, but only the foundations were laid due to lack of funding. Construction resumed in the 1970s when the Marcos administration set aside the location for the Batasang Pambansa. Architect Felipe M. Mendoza designed the Batasan complex, which was opened on 31 May 1978.
Following the People Power Revolution and the ratification of the 1987 constitution, the legislative branch again became bicameral. The numerically larger House of Representatives retained Session Hall and the offices in the old Batasang Pambansa Complex. The smaller, newly-reinstated Senate returned to the original legislative building in Manila until the building was turned over to the National Museum of the Philippines during the term of Fidel V. Ramos, and has since moved to the GSIS Building in Pasay.
On 13 November 2007, an blast tore through the South Wing. Four people were killed while six others were injured; three of the victims were legislators.
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Famous quotes containing the word complex:
“The money complex is the demonic, and the demonic is God’s ape; the money complex is therefore the heir to and substitute for the religious complex, an attempt to find God in things.”
—Norman O. Brown (b. 1913)