Bautista turns emotional in front of Comelec employees

Elections chief Andres “Andy” Bautista, who is being accused by his wife of having P1 billion in unexplained wealth, became emotional anew when he faced employees of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Monday.

“Hindi naman mahirap ibigay yang posisyon o bumaba sa posisyon. Ang problema ko ay ang mawala ang Comelec family sa aking buhay,” a tearful Bautista told employees during their flag-raising ceremony.

(It is not hard to give up the position. My problem is that I don’t want the Comelec family to be out of my life.)

“Kasi talagang over the years, you have shown sincere, genuine care and affection. And perhaps that’s what also made my thought process difficult,” he added.

The Comelec chief said he was grateful for the people’s support. He said it was helping him through the lows he was going through, referring to the allegations hurled at him by his wife, Patricia.

READ: Wife says Comelec chief has unexplained wealth

“Marami namang tao na nagpapahiwatig ng suporta. Pati si Cardinal (Luis Antonio) Tagle tumawag sakin at ako’y humingi rin ng tulong para nga tama yung aking magiging discernment kung ano ang dapat gawin,” Bautista said.

(A lot of people are expressing support. Even Cardinal Tagle called me and I asked his help in discerning what I should do.)

“Kasi maraming interes na nandito: yung kapakanan ng aking pamilya at syempre ang interes ng Comelec,” he added.

(Because there are lots of interests at stake here: my family’s and Comelec’s.)

Bautista has been denying the allegations against him, saying he was a victim of his “wife’s extortion and infidelity,” a claim which Patricia said was not true.

Comelec Chair Andres Bautista turns emotional speaking before the poll body’s employees Monday, August 14, 2017, where he touches on the controversy hounding him. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / JULIE AURELIO

The Comelec chair’s older brother, Martin, has also defended him. According to Martin, Bautista never stole money and that he didn’t lie about his statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).

“Sinabi ko sa kapatid ko yon, alam mo corruption masama yan. So I told him, alam mo kung totoo to magpakamatay ka. Sabi nya wala eh and I believe my brother,” Martin said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel’s “Early Edition” on Monday.

(I told my brother corruption is bad. So I told him that if this is true, you should commit suicide. He denied it, and I believe my brother.)

READ: ‘Pakamatay ka na kung totoo’ — brother tells Comelec chair amid controversy

The elections chief is maintaining his innocence and is asking his supporters to continue praying for him.

“Ang gusto ko lang hingin ay patuloy kayong sumama sa aking pagdarasal para malaman ko kung anong dapat gawin sa sitwasyong ito,” said Bautista.

(All I ask is for you to join me in my prayers so I could discern what to do in this situation) CBB