Comelec's Bautista claims demolition job

MANILA, Philippines —  Elections chief Andres Bautista on Wednesday said that there is a demolition job against him in the domestic spat that he said has already affected his children.

Bautista’s estranged wife, Patricia, accused the Commission on Elections chairman of having illegally-obtained wealth not reflected in his annual Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

“Ito ay isang kaso ng pangingikil at panggigipit,” he told ANC television.

He said that his personal problem with his wife has already been tainted with politics which could cast doubts on the credibility of the 2016 national election.

More painful perhaps for the embattled Comelec chief is the strain the scandal has put on his family especially his four children.

“My kids don’t go to school anymore. They’re being bullied,” a teary-eyed Bautista said as he blasted his estranged wife’s lawyer, Martin Loon, for being “two faced.” He said that Loon was a friend who he thought was concerned for the couple's children.

Bautista said that he hopes that people would be fair to him and think about the possible reasons for this explosive scandal straddling the realm of politics, money and family.

“There is a demolition job against me. As to why, that’s for people to judge. I just hope that people will be fair,” he said.

The other day, Bautista said that his wife's allegations may be politically and financially motivated. He described her accusations as "extortion."

'The universe will take care of them'

The COMELEC chairman almost broke down in tears when he recalled what Patricia told him when he asked what would happen to their children should their issues become public.

“Sabi ko, ‘Paano mangyayari sa mga bata kapag ito ay nabulatlat sa buong mundo?’ Sabi niya, ‘No, no, the universe will take care of them,’” Bautista narrated.

On the stoppage of his children’s studies, he said: “Yung anak ko hindi na pumapasok dahil dito. Is the universe taking care of him right now? It’s not fair to them. That’s the problem.”

He said that he does not know his wife anymore as her thinking has already changed.

He also belied his wife’s accusation that he was not supporting her and their children.

“She got money from me,” he said. Bautista said that his wife got $117,000 and P250,000 from him, which would prove her accusations to be untrue.

He said that he felt that he had been victimized in this case twice.

First, was when his wife engaged in an extramarital affair, and the second was when he was denied entry to his own home.

“Ninakaw yung aking mga gamit at gamit ng aking kamag-anak,” he said.

'Slanted media coverage'

He also decried the unfair media coverage he said he has received regarding his marital problems.

He said that he was given just one and a half hours to explain his side while his wife was given two days and video coverage.

“Ibang iba yung slant e. Parang talagang pabor, it was biased in her favor,” Bautista said.

In the affidavit submitted by Patricia to the National Bureau of Investigation, she claimed that her husband had dubious property and money worth between P250 million to P300 million in value, way above the P176.3 million stated by the poll chief in his SALN.

Failure to accurately disclose one’s wealth could lead to his impeachment.

Former Chief Justice Renato Corona was removed by the Senate following the discovery of dollar accounts not shown in his SALN.

Bautista said that he was prepared to face these allegations as this is part of being a government official.