Bautista ready to face impeach raps at the right time, place

MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections Chairman Juan Andres Bautista on Thursday said he is willing and ready to answer the impeachment complaint filed against him.

 

"Oo naman," Bautista said when asked if he is willing to face the impeachment complaint.

 

"Again, sabi ko nga iyan ay ipapaliwanag sa tamang panahon at tamang lugar," he said in a recorded ambush interview with the press.

 

Bautista, however, said he has not yet received the copy of the complaint.

 

"Kailangan ko munang basahin," the poll chief said.

 

On Wednesday, former Negros Oriental Rep. Jacinto Paras and Ferdinand Topacio, lawyer for the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed before the House of Representatives an impeachment complaint against Bautista.

 

The accusers alleged that Bautista committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust.

 

The complaint was filed after the poll chief's estranged wife, Patricia "Tisha" Cruz-Bautista, alleged that her husband amassed ill-gotten wealth which was not declared in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth. Patricia claimed Bautista has about P1-billion wealth but he only declared P176.3 million in his latest SALN.

 

SALN is a document that government workers are required to submit yearly. The accusers said misdeclaration of SALN is a culpable violation of the Constitution.

 

Bautista is also accused of betraying public trust when he allegedly failed to adopt safeguards that could have prevented the data breach or hacking of the Comelec website. The complainants also claimed that the poll chief neglected his duties and responsibilities when he declined to assume “direct control and supervision” of the task force assigned to look into the agency's data breach.

 

The impeachment complaint was endorsed by three members of the House: Rep. Abraham Tolentino (7th District Cavite), Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia (3rd District Cebu) and Rep. Harry Roque (Kabayan Party-list). 

 

Prior to the impeachment complaint, Bautista claimed politics may be behind the corruption allegations of his wife. He said some of his family members had received impeachment threats even before Patricia revealed the allegations to the public.

 

Asked if he is willing to take a leave or resign from his post amid the controversy, Bautista said all options are being considered.

 

"'Yan ang ating nga tinitimbang kung ano ang susunod na hakbang at siyempre gusto nating protektahan, iyon nga —interest. Unang-una ng aking pamilya at interest din ng Comelec kung kaya't iyan ang ating pinag-aaralan, pinag-iisipan at pinagdarasalan," the poll chief said.