Poll chief Bautista's wife, kids now under provisional WPP coverage

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has accorded protection to Patricia Paz Bautista, estranged wife of Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista, and their children amid the government's investigation on allegations that he has nearly P1 billion in unexplained wealth.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II made the announcement in a press conference on Friday after meeting with Patricia and her lawyers.

Comelec chief's wife, Patricia Bautista, now under the provisional coverage of the Witness Protection Program. ????: DOJ pic.twitter.com/UyfKlkrMC5

— Virgil Lopez (@virgillopez) August 18, 2017

Aguirre, who had instructed the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the allegations against Bautista, said Patricia and her four children are already given provisional coverage under the WPP, which entitles them to stay in a safe house, monthly allowance, security protection, hospitalization and medicines, and other privileges.

"The provisional admission of Ms. Cruz-Bautista into the WPP was made in consideration of her safety and security as a potential witness," Aguirre said.

Patricia has yet to submit an affidavit and other requirements to be evaluated by the WPP, which will decide if she and her sons should get full coverage.

"We wish to stress that before being provided with actual protection, security and/or benefit under the WPP, Ms. Cruz-Bautista must execute a Memorandum of Agreement. Ms. Cruz-Bautista came to the DOJ freely and voluntarily, with her lawyers,  to seek her admission to the WPP," Aguirre said.

Patricia declined to disclose details about the threats she has been receiving.

During the press conference, she also refuted her husband's claim that their sons have stopped attending classes because of the issue.

"My kids go to school that is very supportive of them. They are not being bullied at all, in fact, it’s the opposite. They are being supported by their school and their classsmates," she said.

Patricia was also asked if she had any regrets revealing her husband's alleged unexplained wealth.

“It hasn’t been easy but I’ve received a lot of support and kindness and I can’t be more grateful. As in all things I think we have to rise to the occasion and we have to be as strong as we can be but again, it hasn’t been easy,” she said.

“Do I regret it? Many things happened that I wasn’t prepared for and I don't think anybody can be prepared for, but it is what it is. I’m doing my job as, I guess, a Filipino citizen.”

Bautista declared a net worth of P176.3 million last year, but Patricia said she found bank and real property documents in her husband's name and those of his relatives that were not reflected in his 2016 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN).

She also pointed to the possibility that her husband may have kept ghost employees during his stint as chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) and claimed that Bautista had received commissions from DivinaLaw firm for assisting its clients with the Comelec.

Bautista, who claims he earned money from financial investments with his family even before he entered public service in 2010, has since denied the allegations. He also filed criminal complaints against his wife.

An impeachment complaint, meanwhile, is being prepared by former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras that will hinge on Patricia's allegations and Bautista's liability over the hacking in March last year of the poll body website that contained the database of voters. —KBK, GMA News