House cancels Comelec budget hearing due to absence of poll chief
In this April 2016 file photo, Comelec chair Juan Andres Bautista attends the vice presidential debate organized by the poll body. Philstar.com/Jonathan Asuncion, File photo
MANILA, Philippines — Commission on Elections chair Andres Bautista on Wednesday failed to attend the budget briefing of his agency at the House of Representatives.
Comelec Executive Director Jose Tolentino represented the poll body instead.
"The chairman will be meeting with the guidance counselor of his children," Tolentino was quoted by reports.
Due to Bautista's absence, Albay First District Rep. Edcel Lagman moved for the cancelation of House hearing into the Comelec's budget for 2018.
Members of the House committee on appropriations, chaired by Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, led the hearing.
The House panel then decided to cancel the hearing into the proposed P16.151 billion budget and rescheduled it on Thursday morning.
Comm Art Lim apologizes to the Appropriations Comm for the absence of Chair Bautista. Reset to tomorrow pic.twitter.com/jQ9l1RV6vO
— Rowena V. Guanzon (@commrguanzon) August 23, 2017
The scheduled budget briefing coincided with the Senate hearing into Bautista's wealth.
Early this month, the poll chief's estranged wife, Patricia "Tisha" Cruz-Bautista, alleged that her husband amassed ill-gotten wealth.
Andres categorically denied the corruption allegations and claimed that it stemmed from an extortion attempt and marital woes. He also said his children were affected by the controversy.
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