Embattled Comelec chair pleads for more time, patience

Comelec chief Andres Bautista. INQUIRER FILE / GRIG MONTEGRANDE

Beleaguered Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres “Andy” Bautista is asking for more “patience and time” amid calls for his resignation as he faced allegations of unexplained wealth hurled by his own wife, Patricia.

“Naiintindihan ko rin na kailangan din namang magpasya… Ako ang hinihiling ko na lang ay konting pasensya, konting panahon, para nga po magsaad ng aking palagay, pagninilay,” Bautista said in an interview over dzMM on Monday.

READ: Wife says Comelec chief has unexplained wealth

The poll chief said he was at a “cross-road” now and that he had to consider a lot of interests before making a decision.

“Ako po ay nasa isang sangang-daan at aking tinitimbang ang interes, unang-una ng aking pamilya, ng aking pamilya sa Comelec, ng ating trabaho, demokrasya, ng halalan nung 2016,” Bautista said.

On Thursday, six Comelec commissioners urged him to “let go” and focus instead on facing his issues, “for the sake of his family.”

Responding to the call, Bautista said: “Nakausap ko na sila dati. ‘Yung iba nagbigay na nga ng personal na abiso sa akin… at lahat nga ito ay king dinidinig at sinasama para sa aking pagpapasya.”

“Ayoko rin gumawa ng isang desisyon na emosyonal lamang,” the poll chief added.

Despite this, Bautista assured the public that his issues would not affect his job and that he would make his decision soon.

“Ang gusto ko ring sabihin sa taumbayan, habang ako ay nakaupo bilang chairman ng Comelec eh masusigurado nilang lahat ng trabaho ay nagagawa. Yung mga sinasabing hindi nagagawa ang trabaho, hindi totoo ‘yan,” he said.

When asked if his decision would no longer take time, Bautista said, “Hindi naman na talaga dapat (magtagal).”

“Sabi ko nga hindi naman tayo kapit-tuko. Lahat ng ito ay aking pinag-iisipan at pinagninilayan,” the Comelec chief added.

Bautista’s wife has alleged that he had nearly P1 billion unexplained wealth. CBB