Impeachment, not a Senate inquiry

Much has been said about the feud between Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andy Bautista and his estranged wife Patricia. But did anyone get the point why Tisha went to the media and rinse their dirty linen in public instead of going to court to charge his husband of alleged ill-gotten wealth?

Mrs. Bautista’s counsel must have advised her that because she is still married to Bautista, she cannot testify against him in any court proceedings in a civil or criminal case, which is not against each other.

This is what we call in legal parlance “marital disqualification.” The husband or the wife during their marriage cannot testify against each other without the other’s consent unless the civil or criminal case is between the wife and husband.

It’s really sad to watch this kind of episode happen in one’s family. Traditionally, we keep it a secret within the family. But because of greed and money, family values suffer and, worse, children are the innocent victims.

With due respect to the opposite gender and the good mothers, while women’s rights advocates may justify that Tisha only exercised her rights, what she did only showed her true character.

Why would this simple family row became complex and even scandalous? Perhaps, because some people with vested interest are behind Tisha. Worse, some clowns in Congress want to conduct a Senate inquiry on the alleged unexplained wealth of Chairman Bautista.

As a legislator for several years, Sen. Tito Sotto should have known that Comelec is a Constitutional body and the commissioners are impeachable officials. As such, the commissioners cannot be subjected to any investigation other than an impeachment complaint.

Considering that an impeachment complaint is now being hatched against Bautista, Senator Sotto should not proceed with his Senate inquiry because when the impeachment complaint reaches the Senate, he will be one of the judges.

If Sotto would push for this, he cannot be one of the senators/judges once the impeachment of Bautista will be heard in the Senate. So, maglaway lang nya ka sa proceedings, senator.

Quickly: Why didn’t the Cebu City traffic office prepare for the traffic situation in Mambaling when they knew that the work for the subway project was to start the other day? Has City Hall run out of right thinking people, Mayor Tom?

Considering that an impeachment complaint is being hatched against Bautista, Sotto should not proceed with his Senate inquiry