Escudero says Bautista has been a “consistent no-show” since hearings on possible Anti-Money Laundering Law violations began in August 2017
By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
Former Commission on Elections Chair Andres Bautista has been subpoenaed following his repeated failure to attend a Senate panel hearing on possible violations of the Anti-Money Laundering Law.
Senator Chief Escudero, chair of the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies, said that this means that Bautista–who was again a no-show in the panel’s hearing on Tuesday—was compelled to appear before them on February 12.
“The committee has consistently sent him invitations to all of the hearings we conducted but until today, he has not given any reasons for his absence. Not even a representative to act on his behalf,” Escudero said in a statement.
He noted that the subpoena was sent to three of Bautista’s residences since the inquiry began in August 2017.
“We held him in his own words on the media in the past that he will appear and defend himself once invited but apparently he has been a consistent no-show,” Escudero said, noting that Tuesday’s was the panel’s third hearing already.
According to Escudero, if Bautista does not comply with the subpoena, the Senate would hold him in contempt and order his arrest.
He also asked the Bureau of Immigration to provide the panel with Bautista’s travel information from August 2017 up to present.
An impeachment complaint was filed against Bautista, but he resigned before a trial could take place.
The complaint used as bases the allegations hurled against him by Patricia, his estranged wife, that he could have amassed almost P1 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth.
