Drilon: Who has jurisdiction in probe of wealth issue vs Comelec chief?

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

The issue of jurisdiction over the probe of the alleged undeclared wealth of Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista should be tackled first, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said on Monday.

“I do not know if the blue ribbon [committee] should take recognition over that because it is a possible impeachment case,” Drilon told reporters. “And if the House of Representatives decides that it is an impeachable offense and brings to us the impeachment complaint, then we become juror or judges.”

Drilon pointed out that what the Senate blue ribbon committee and the impeachment court would investigate would just be the same.

“So before the blue ribbon takes jurisdiction, I will strongly suggest that this issue of jurisdiction be first tackled and decided,” he added.

Under the rules, the issue of jurisdiction must be resolved by the committee itself which will make a report to the plenary, Drilon said.

Earlier on Monday, Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto III filed a resolution to probe the alleged unexplained wealth of Bautista, which was revealed by his wife Patricia Paz in an affidavit submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation on Aug. 1.

READ: Sotto wants probe on Comelec chief’s alleged ‘unexplained’ wealth

“We must conduct an inquiry. Otherwise, the results of the 2016 elections might have a cloud of doubt hanging over it,” Sotto said in a statement.

“We need to know if indeed there is hidden wealth and if so, when and how was it amassed,” he added.

According to the resolution, the Senate would look into the “alleged non-compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees relative to the required submission of statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) of the incumbent Comelec chair.” /atm

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