Comelec chair faces probe for alleged ill-gotten wealth
MANILA – Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista was accused of corruption and having unexplained wealth. He is facing investigation.
His wife Patricia Paz Bautista claimed he had P1 billion worth of allegedly ill-gotten wealth, with several passbooks under his name.
The Comelec chairman “categorically” denied the accusation, saying it was “all lies” and his wife just wanted to “besmirch” his reputation.
Grace Poe called on her colleagues in the Senate to verify the allegation.
“It is an allegation of corruption of epic proportions that definitely concerns public interest, given the sensitive position … Bautista occupies,”
and she said.
“The information made public points to the possibility of a ‘husband vs. the people,’” she added. “[And] such shocking revelations make a lifestyle check among high Comelec officials urgent and needed.”
Sen. Vicente Sotto III yesterday filed Senate Resolution No. 456 urging the blue ribbon committee to investigate Bautista.
“There is a need to determine if the present law is adequate enough to ensure compliance by all public officials with the provisions on the required submission of the statement of assets, liabilities and net worth,” or SALN, said Sotto.
Malacañang said the allegations against Bautista will be “fully investigated.”
“The President’s stand is pretty clear regarding this matter,” said Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella. “He (Rodrigo Duterte) will not tolerate corruption, even a whiff of it.”
Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II also directed the National Bureau of Investigation ( NBI) to look into Bautista’s alleged ill-gotten wealth.
In Department Order No. 517, Aguirre instructed the NBI to prove and, if possible, build a case based on the affidavit Patricia executed before the bureau saying Bautista misdeclared his SALN last year.
Moreover, “we will see if