Comelec chief Bautista's family willing to waive bank secrecy rights

The brother of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista has said his family is willing to waive their bank secrecy privileges to disprove allegations of Patricia Bautista.

"I want to prove to the world that my brother legally earned his money before he went into government service, August of 2010," Oklahoma-based physician Martin Bautista said in an interview with GMA News.

The elder brother of the Comelec chairman arrived from the US on Saturday night.

He said that before he left for the Philippines, he sent emails to his sister-in-law, Patricia, but did not provide details.

"Ako mismo, kusang ako po ang pumunta rito dahil in-email ko po ng ilang beses 'yung aking sister-in-law na si Patricia," he said.

He reiterated that his family, along with his brother, had obtained a sizable amount from various investments.

He said he is planning to release copies of the bank statements and deposit slips as proof.

"Meron na kaming pondo rito na ililipatlipat lang namin, at saka ito naman, interest income," he said.

In an earlier interview with GMA News, the doctor said Patricia knew that he and his brother have a $1.7-million joint investment.

"Hindi naman po sa nagmamalaki pero may kaya po kami. This is the conglomeration of my family's combined investments with my brother whom I trust with my life. Alam mo di naman sa minamaliit ko 'yung amount but we will account for every single peso," he said.

He added that they have had the account since 2006 and deposited to the Luzon Development Bank, whose owner, TG Limcaoco, was their friend.

Dr. Bautista said this was way before the Comelec chief entered the government.

He also said that he returned to the country to help in disproving various allegations hurled at his brother.

"Katulad nga nitong isang abogado Kampunan ba iyon o Ampun, Kampunan, kung sino man iyon, marami masyadong binabato, tignan nga natin, nandito ako para sasagutin ko silang lahat," he said, referring to Patricia's spokesperson Lorna Kapunan.

"Nakakaawa iyong kapatid ko rito eh, parang public execution na...We will fight for our honor," he added.

Patricia has accused the Comelec chief of amassing nearly P1-billion ill-gotten wealth since he became chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government.

She had submitted an affidavit detailing alleged undeclared properties and bank accounts of her estranged husband at the National Bureau of Investigation, which has already started its investigation.

A former congressman on Saturday said he will file an impeachment complaint against the Comelec chairman based on his wife's allegations. —report from JP Soriano/Margaret Claire Layug/ALG, GMA News