Duterte plays marriage counselor to Comelec chair and wife

Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

President Rodrigo Duterte tried to help Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres Bautista be reconciled with his wife, Patricia, the head of the poll body revealed.

In an interview over dzIQ Radyo Inquirer 990 on Monday, Bautista said the President asked him and his wife to talk about their strained marriage last August 1 in Malacañang.

A few days earlier, on July 26, Patricia presented to Duterte supposed documents that showed Bautista having about P1 billion in unexplained wealth.

READ: Wife says Comelec chief has unexplained wealth

According to Bautista, Duterte first met with him and Patricia separately.

“Nagpulong kami ng ating pangulo … pagkatapos ang sabi nya kakausapin ko yung misis mo na nasa kabilang kwarto. Pagkatapos po pinagharap kami,” (I met with the President … then he said he would talk to my wife who was in the other room. Then, he had us meet) the Comelec chair said.

“Kaya kami lang tatlo ang nagharap at nag-usap,” (There were only the three of us at the meeting) Bautista added.

“Napakabait niya at nagbigay ng payo,” (he was so kind and he gave us advice) Bautista said, referring to Duterte.

He said Duterte gave them advice to save their relationship.

“Very concerned siya sa pamilya. Sabi niya magbakasyon muna kami sa Pearl Farm,” (He was so concerned about the family. He told us to take a vacation at the Pearl Farm) Bautista said.

He said that he was open to the suggestion but claimed that Patricia resisted.

“Siya matigas,” Bautista said about Patricia.

“Pero kung meron nang ibang partido eh iba na usapan,” he added.

In the same interview with dzIQ, Bautista claimed that a “third party” was already involved with Patricia.

READ: Comelec Chair Bautista: I am a victim of infidelity

Bautista said even Patricia’s family was on his side, adding that they came with him when he met Duterte in a different meeting.

He added he was still living in the same house with Patricia but they were in separate rooms.

“Ang gusto ko lang talaga kapayapaan para sa aming pamilya lalo na sa aking mga anak,” said (I only desire peace for our family, especially for our children) said Bautista.

“Kung kailangan pong magbitiw walang problema. Pero dito wala akong kasalanan eh,” (If I need to resign, no problem. But I have no fault in this) he added.

Bautista and Patricia have four sons ages 8 to 16, he said. CBB

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