The Bombshell Allegations
The wife of Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista submitted an affidavit last week to the National Bureau of Investigation. In it, Mrs. Bautista alleges that the COMELEC chief might have amassed nearly P1 billion worth of ill-gotten wealth. She did this five days after meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang to reveal what she discovered about her husband. She brought with her several passbooks as well as bank and real property documents that prove the allegation.
Patricia Paz “Tish” Bautista submitted the affidavit on Aug. 1, along with the documents that contain her husband’s name and some of his relatives that were not included in his 2016 statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN).
Bautista declared a net worth of P176.3 million in his SALN. Bautista is the richest among the heads of the five constitutional commissions in the government, but his assets are nowhere near the almost P1 Billion worth of real properties, cash and deposits that his wife discovered recently.
Bank Documents and Paper Trail Evidence
Mrs. Bautista said she was disclosing “certain information and documents that would show that Andy (Bautista) might have had, or currently has, misdealing and corrupt practices while in government service.”
Mrs. Bautista said she was disclosing “certain information and documents that would show that Andy (Bautista) might have had, or currently has, misdealing and corrupt practices while in government service.”
“I understand that since Andy holds the position of Comelec chair, he is liable to be impeached should there exist valid and sufficient grounds to hold him in trial for an impeachable offense under Sec. 2, Article XI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution,” Patricia said in the affidavit.
Bautista was appointed to chair the Presidential Commission on Good Government by his cousin, then President Benigno Aquino III. He was later appointed to the COMELEC in May 2015.
Bautista was appointed to chair the Presidential Commission on Good Government by his cousin, then President Benigno Aquino III. He was later appointed to the COMELEC in May 2015.
Undeclared Assets
Among the assets Patricia disclosed to President Duterte and the NBI, which were not in Bautista’s SALN include:
Among the assets Patricia disclosed to President Duterte and the NBI, which were not in Bautista’s SALN include:
• 35 Luzon Development Bank (LDB) accounts with a total balance of P329,220,962
• a foreign currency account with Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. RCBC) with $12,778.30; (equal to P640,959.53 using P50.16 to $1.00)
• an RCBC peso account with P257,931.60
• an HSBC account with HK$948,358.97; (equal toP6.10 million at P6.43 to HK$1.00)
• a condo unit in One Bonifacio High Street at Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City
• a condo unit in The District in San Francisco, California, USA.
Patricia said that except for two adjoining condo units in Pacific Plaza Towers at BGC in Taguig City, where the family stays, she was not aware of the 13 other real estate properties listed in her husband’s SALN.
She also said that she discovered investments abroad “in the form of his shares and interests in corporations and loan agreements” that were not declared in his SALN. These include:
• Bauman Enterprises Ltd., a company established in the British Virgin Islands on Sept. 29, 2010; a trustee company that Bautista set up with Bank of Singapore.
• Mantova International Ltd., established in Brunei Darussalam on April 26, 2011.
• Mega Achieve Inc., established in Anguilla, a British overseas territory in the Caribbean, on July 15, 2014.
See the account papers and money envelopes in this full interview.
See the account papers and money envelopes in this full interview.
Not new to Controversy
Meeting with President Duterte
In a press conference, Mrs. Bautista narrated to reporters her discoveries that she included in her NBI affidavit and the life she had with her husband of 17 years from whom she had been wanting to separate since 2013. She said it was out of “fear” of Bautista and his connections that she sought an audience with Mr. Duterte.
In a press conference, Mrs. Bautista narrated to reporters her discoveries that she included in her NBI affidavit and the life she had with her husband of 17 years from whom she had been wanting to separate since 2013. She said it was out of “fear” of Bautista and his connections that she sought an audience with Mr. Duterte.
Mrs. Bautista met the President at the Music Room of the Palace on July 26 for two to three hours. Patricia’s lawyers were present. The meeting was made possible by friends whome she did not name. In the course of their meeting, Patricia said the President summoned NBI Director Dante Gierran to the Palace. When the Director arrived, Patricia said the President “endorsed us to the NBI director, who had since been the one coordinating (with her legal team).”
Patricia said she executed the affidavit for fear that some of her family’s finances and properties might have been accumulated from “illegal or immoral acts or conduct” during her husband’s time in office. She wanted to differentiate from those that were earned legally, and those that may have come from illegal activities of her husband.
The Chairman tells another Story
Chairman Bautista has given an interview on radio after her wife's bombshell revelation. According to the Chairman, he chose to remain silent about his wife's affair, but is speaking now because of her wife's allegations.
He denied all his wife's allegations but admitted that their relationship has long been strained, and that politics is getting into the issue.
In a shocking admission, Bautista revealed that he was a victim of theft and sexual abuse at the time his wife took all the alleged documents and bank statements that are now being presented.
He says that the alleged ill-gotten wealth being attributed to him is not his own alone but includes that of his parents and siblings.
Active on Twitter and Facebook, his last post on social media was August 5.
The Chairman tells another Story
Chairman Bautista has given an interview on radio after her wife's bombshell revelation. According to the Chairman, he chose to remain silent about his wife's affair, but is speaking now because of her wife's allegations.
He denied all his wife's allegations but admitted that their relationship has long been strained, and that politics is getting into the issue.
In a shocking admission, Bautista revealed that he was a victim of theft and sexual abuse at the time his wife took all the alleged documents and bank statements that are now being presented.
He says that the alleged ill-gotten wealth being attributed to him is not his own alone but includes that of his parents and siblings.
Active on Twitter and Facebook, his last post on social media was August 5.
source: Inquirer, Radyo Inquirer
President Duterte Signs Laws Extending Passport and Driver License Validity
![SONA 2017 started at exactly 4:20 in the afternoon and lasted 2 hours and 6 minutes (6:26 p.m.), longer that his previous SONA. Known for his no-holds-barred speeches and fiery statements, Duterte delivered once again his colorful tirades and expletives mixed with report of plans for the country. Here are ten important points that the President mentioned in his annual State of the Nation Address: On Crime and Drugs 1. The President stated "The fight against illegal drugs will continue because that is the root cause of so much evil and so much suffering." 2. Duterte asked Congress to act on all pending legislations to reimpose the death penalty on heinous crimes – especially on the trafficking of illegal drugs. On Peace and the Martial Law 3. "It is not the peace of the dead but the peace of the living that we seek." Duterte reiterated the search for a lasting peace in Mindanao. One step to achieve it is the expansion of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission [BTC] by giving representation to indigenous peoples, women, children, and sultanates, and key stakeholders in the drafting of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. 4. "I declared martial law in Mindanao because I believed that that was the fastest way to quell the rebellion at the least cost of lives and properties" the President said. On Education 5. Duterte affirmed his commitment to fully implement the K to 12 program that highlights skills training, learner mobility, and lifelong learning among Filipinos. The government has increased the number of out-of-school children and youth who have availed of the Alternative Learning System. 6. Wi-Fi access shall be provided at no charge in selected public places including parks, plazas, public libraries, schools, government hospitals, train stations, airports and seaports. On Health Care 7. On Reproductive Health (RH) Law, implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law must be put into full force and effect. 8. Filipinos now have equitable access to quality and affordable health services due to expanded health insurance coverage and benefits. The destitute and the indigents, or those who just could not afford hospitalization, can now be provided with free services of government-operated and public hospitals as well by strengthening the implementation of the No Balance Billing Policy. 9. Smoking Ban: Executive Order No. 26 imposed a ban on smoking in public places to mitigate the health consequences of the vice. The government will provide a more supportive environment for those who are attempting to quit tobacco use. The ban began July 23. On the Environment 10. Duterte urged the legislators to pass the National Land Use Act to ensure the rational and sustainable use of our land resources. Protection of the environment was also highlighted against irresponsible mining. He also warned mining companies to restore the environment or he will raise taxes. He also advised them to declare correct income and right taxes. 11. Addressing global warming will also be a top priority of government, but upon a fair and acceptable equation. The President insists that environmental quotas on emission must not stifle the country's industrialization. On Transportation and Infrastructure 12. Duterte expressed gratitude to China for their help on infrastructure projects. China will construct two new bridges across Pasig River, for free. And he revealed that the country will get money from China for constructing new airports. 13. Pasig River Ferry Service System - the revival of the operation of the Pasig River Ferry Service System is a viable solution for the severe traffic congestion in Metro Manila. 14. Improvement of the RORO system by modernizing ports. The government purchased 15 brand new Ro-Ro vessels to ply major nautical routes all over the country. An Asean Ro-Ro Shipping Route was also launched, connecting the ports of Davao and General Santos, Philippines to Bitung, Indonesia. On Governance and Corruption 15. Duterte mentioned the need to prepare for major calamities like the "Big One," - a magnitude 7.2 earthquake to be generated by the West Valley Fault. He asked the Congress to pass the Disaster Response bill. 16. President's Hotline or 8888, dedicated to complaints against fixers, corrupt officials, and poor government services and Hotline 911 for emergency response.The president said he will never tolerate corruption in his administration. 17. TRAIN - Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion program to raise the national budget. Tax reforms towards a simpler, more equitable and more efficient tax system that can foster investment and job creation. It will lower personal and corporate income tax rates. The President also aims to relax the bank secrecy law. Other Matters 18. For OFWs - consolidating and merging agencies and offices having to do with the Overseas Filipino Workers, to have a department that shall focus on and quickly respond to their problems and concerns. Also, the President has increased the budget for OFW assistance and repatriation - from P400M to P1 Billion! 19. Digital terrestrial television broadcasting migration plan - shifting the current analog system of broadcasting to digital systems, also allowing the use of the system for government emergency broadcasts. This will also provide picture and sound quality that is far superior to analog. 20. National Broadband Plan and the National Government Portal - It will allow faster and easier delivery of public services and reduce the number of visits of the public to agencies for government transactions via inter-connectivity of the different government agencies. The President had a lot to discuss, often laced with off-script ad libs. But in essence, he has delivered a message of hope and one of patience - telling everyone that the job was harder than what he expected. Still, he enjoys a satisfaction rating never been held by any other President before him. Let us see what another year in office will bring. Good luck Mr. President!](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIHZ6-JNP1zcDK_Za9I-ceZwRoeU7T8F8wcauSLu17XLtDL11dBD9081UpjMgDOAMvYB7I-rnblNz1sD5fjAbtnQAwCcmmy93EpOuEhFk-SYH0YXFoG0jwoXGPa1MKx1pplZU/s640/template.png)
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