Senate panel orders arrest of ex-poll chief Bautista

The Senate banks committee on Monday held former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista in contempt and has ordered his arrest after he failed to show up at the panel’s investigation despite the subpoena issued against him.

Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero, chairman of the committee, said he will ask Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III to issue the warrant of arrest.

In a letter sent to the committee, Bautista asked that the subpoena be recalled, saying he never received any invitation from the committee as he is currently abroad.

“I understand from news reports that a subpoena has been issued because of my non-appearance in the hearing. In this regard, I respectfully ask that the subpoena be recalled since I never received the invitation,” Bautista said.

The Senate committee issued a subpoena against Bautista last January 23, directing him to appear on February 12 before the committee otherwise he will be held in contempt and arrested.

According to Bautista, he has been out of the country since November last year “to explore professional opportunities and, more importantly, seek assistance for certain medical challenges.”

Escudero, however, pointed out that Bautista was clearly trying to “stifle” the proceedings, even as he expressed willingness to answer any questions the committee may have, as the former poll chief did not provide his address.

“He should have, at the very least, given an address to forward any queries. That he did not give any is clearly, in so far as the chairman is concerned, an attempt to stifle the proceedings,” Escudero said.

Citing records of the Bureau of Immigration, Escudero said Bautista left the country on October 28, 2017 and arrived from Singapore on November 1, 2017. Bautista claimed he has been out of the country since November 21, 2017.

Escudero said Bautista will be arrested upon his arrival in the country, and should be delivered to the Senate.

“Kung talagang wala siyang tinatago, wala siyang dapat katakutan. Kung wala siyang kinakatakutan, wala rin siyang dapat itago,” Escudero said.

Bautista’s estranged wife, Patricia Paz Bautista, has alleged that her husband amassed nearly P1 billion in unexplained wealth. The Comelec chair also supposedly owns 35 bank accounts with the Luzon Development Bank containing a total balance of P329,220,962.

Bautista has said that the accounts claimed by his estranged wife were either closed or fake.

Escudero said Bautista, and two of his siblings who own joint accounts at the Luzon Development Bank (LDB), can execute waivers if they do not want to participate in the Senate probe.

Bautista’s sister, Susan Afan, who also snubbed the subpoena, has argued that she is a private citizen and has nothing to do with the accounts.

“If they don’t want to sign, that’s okay with me. But they should attend this investigation, and they can, face to face, claim their rights against self-incrimination and claim their rights of bank secrecy law. They cannot do so in absentia and via a letter,” Escudero said.

“Ang tatapang at lakas ng loob nila magsalita na haharapin nila kahit saan ito at kahit anong oras, tapos pagdating ng oras ng pagtutuos, lahat abroad at lahat biglang private citizen na,” the senator said. — RSJ, GMA News