(Eagle News) — The wife of Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista has been given “provisional admission” to the Witness Protection Program.
Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said he signed Patricia Bautista’s certificate for such on Friday, after she “freely and voluntarily” sought to be included in the WPP in the morning.
The female Bautista had said her husband, from whom she has been estranged, could have amassed over P1 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth.
She said the Comelec chief received commissions from a law firm for providing assistance to its clients with the poll body, and may have also employed “ghost employees” at the Presidential Commission on Good Government when he was the chair.
He has denied all the allegations.
“The provisional admission was made in consideration of her safety and security as a potential witness,” Aguirre said in a press conference.
He said before being “provided with actual protection, security and/or benefit under the WPP,” she must execute a memorandum of agreement.
The female Bautista’s affidavit must be assessed by the WPP, which will then decide if she gets full coverage.
