QUEZON CITY, Philippines (Eagle News) — Hours after the House of Representatives voted to impeach Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista on Wednesday (October 11), Kabayan Party-List Representative Harry Roque submitted the draft of the articles of impeachment against the beleaguered poll chief.
The articles of impeachment submitted by Roque were to support the impeachment complaint for graft and corruption, betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution against Bautista.
The six-page documents detailed four articles of impeachment:
- The alleged anomalous bank accounts, real properties, foreign investments and properties, funds, businesses, corporations, financial transactions and alleged offshore accounts involving Bautista and/or his family members;
- Bautista’s supposed checks and commission sheets from private law firm Divina & Uy Law Offices;
- the alleged failure of Bautista to declare all his wealth and properties in his 2016 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN);
- and Bautista’s alleged failure to address the massive personal data breach involving the Commission on Elections website and/or data processing system in March 2016.
“Indeed, by such conduct, Respondent Bautista warrants impeachment and trial, and removal from office and disqualification to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under the Republic of the Philippines,” the draft read.
The six-page draft was submitted by Roque to the House Committee on Justice chaired by Congressman Rey Umali.