By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Former Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista was still a no-show in Monday’s Senate panel’s hearing on his possible violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
In a letter submitted to Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, Bautista said he has not yet received any subpoena to make an appearance before the committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies, and only found out about the issuance of the same from news reports.
He said even then, he would not be able to attend the hearing because since November 2017, he has been abroad to seek “professional opportunities” and seek medical assistance for his sickness.
He said he also has a petition for habeas data pending before the Makati Regional Trial Court.
The petition aims for the return of what he said were the financial documents stolen by his estranged wife, Patricia.
Bautista did not say when he would return to the country but said that he would answer all the allegations against him in writing.
Earlier, Senator Francis Escudero, panel chair, said he would move for Bautista’s arrest if he failed to attend another committee hearing.
Bautista’s wife, Patricia, who was present at Monday’s hearing, has accused the former COMELEC chair of amassing nearly P1 billion in unexplained wealth.