Comelec chief maintains SALN ‘accurate’

MANILA, Philippines - Amid accusations of corruption by his estranged wife, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista yesterday assured the public that his financial status is accurately documented in his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

Bautista said there is no truth to his wife’s allegation that he has ill-gotten wealth amounting to almost P1 billion.  

He said all his assets and liabilities have been indicated in his SALN, contrary to Patricia’s claims that he has undeclared wealth.

Based on his 2016 SALN, Bautista declared P241.8 million in total assets, comprising real properties amounting to P158.5 million and personal properties of P83.3 million.

The real properties included a house and lot in Ayala Westgrove, Silang, two lots in Ayala Greenfield, Calamba, two condominium units at the Pacific Plaza Tower in Fort Bonifacio, a studio at The St. Francis Tower in Mandaluyong, three condominium units at the North Tower, One Shangri-La Place also in Mandaluyong, a lot in Tanay, Rizal and two condominium units at the Meridien and The Suits in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The personal properties pertained to insurance policies, two vehicles, jewelry, shares, deposits and personal effects. 

The poll chief also declared liabilities of P65.5 million in the form of bank loans, amortization payments and personal loans.

For “business interests and financial connections,” Bautista listed XMA Corp., a holding company located in Quezon City.

Earlier, Bautista said that aside from his family’s wealth, he had significant earnings before he joined the government.

He was an international lawyer in the US and Hong Kong for years, president of Shangri-La, Philippines and had several business investments with his siblings.