New Comelec chair: My loyalty belongs to the people

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista at the Comelec office in Manila. INQUIRER PHOTO/ARNOLD ALMACEN

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres Bautista has assured the public that he will not be beholden to President Benigno Aquino III, who appointed him to the post, during the 2016 elections.

READ: Aquino names PCGG chair Bautista as new Comelec chief

“From my point of view, once you have been appointed to a constitutional body, your loyalty is no longer with the appointing authority. Once appointed, you are accountable to the people,” said Bautista in a recent forum in Manila.

Bautista’s appointment to the poll body early this month raised concerns that he might favor the administration party come 2016 elections.

READ: New Comelec chair should be independent, say bishops

Apart from Bautista, also appointed by Aquino to the Comelec were Commissioners Rowena Guanzon and Sheriff Abas.

Bautista urged the public, including his critics, to judge the Comelec based on its performance and not on who appointed its officials.

“They can easily determine if our decisions have biases or are favoring a particular party,” said Bautista.

Asked why he accepted the Comelec post, he said: “The forthcoming elections is very important for our history and our nation. I feel that I should try to contribute.”

Meanwhile, Bautista also responded to reports that he failed in the psychiatric test when he applied for the position of Chief Justice in May 2012.

He said he was not aware that he got a grade of “4” in the said psychiatric test as its result was not disclosed to them.

“My grade is the same with the current Chief Justice so, I think, I’m in good company,” Bautista said in jest, referring to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“But the fact that I accepted this position, maybe I am (mentally unhealthy),” he said, laughing.