“I am the victim here,” he says
(Eagle News) — Commission on Elections Andres Bautista denied the allegations hurled against him by his estranged wife, saying he was the real victim.
In a television interview, Bautista said his wife “ransacked” his home several months ago, and that she “stole” passbooks and other bank documents, among others.
He said that these were altered and were being used as bases for the allegations of ill-gotten wealth against him.
“We have deposits in Luzon Development Bank but these are deposits in the name of my father, mother, myself and sisters. These monies do not belong to me. Since 1998, my siblings have been co-investing with me,” he said noting that the money was estimated at P200 million, and not P300 million, as his wife attested to.
He added that the bank account his wife said had around 900,000 Hong Kong dollars in it was “bogus.”
Although he admitted that sometimes there were referral fees, he said these “have nothing to do with my position in Comelec.”
He noted that Nilo Divinagracia from the Divinagracia law firm had bought two condominium units from him and was paying him for them.
“Kasama ko ang buong pamilya ng Bautista at ng kanyang pamilya na Cruz-Vasquez sa laban na ito. Ipakikita namin na ito ay kaso ng pangingikil at panggigipit,” Bautista said.
The Comelec chief is facing allegations he amassed over P1 billion in ill-gotten wealth.
Resolutions have been filed in both the House of Representatives and the Senate urging for inquiries into the accusations.
The Department of Justice is also set to conduct an inquiry.