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Comelec chair Andres Bautista to resign
Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista on Wednesday said he will resign from his post by the end of the year.
In a letter posted on his social media account, Bautista said: "It is with deep sadness that I am informing you about my decision to resign as the Chair of the Commission on Elections by the end of the year."
— Andy Bautista (@ChairAndyBau) October 11, 2017
"After much prayer and discernment, I believe that this is the right time to step down given the postponement of the Barangay and SK elections. This was not easy decision. But my family, especially my children, need me now more than ever," he added.
"I believe I have served our Commission well and the Filipino people to the best of my ability, but only with your faithful help and constant support," Bautista continued.
Bautista, who used to be chairman of the Presidential Commission on Good Government, was appointed to head the Comelec in 2015. The appointment is for seven years, in accordance with Article IX of the 1987 Constitution.
The Comelec chief has been embroiled in the middle of a bitter spat with his estranged wife Patricia who claimed that he has undeclared wealth amounting to nearly P1 billion.
The House justice committee on September 20 dismissed the impeachment complaint lodged against Bautista, with 26 members of the panel voting against Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia's motion to declare the impeachment complaint filed by former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio sufficient in form.
Meanwhile, in August, at least six commissioners of Comelec — Christian Robert Lim, Luie Tito Guia, Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon, Al Parreno, Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas — urged Bautista to take a leave of absence or resign amid the ill-gotten wealth allegations against him. —KG, GMA News
