Joint investigation on Bautista to proceed

FILE: Aguirre also said whether the marital issue will be settled or not, the investigation in the alleged undeclared 1 billion wealth of Bautista will still pursue by the Department of Justice (DOJ). (PNA Photo)

The Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) is bound to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) in the investigation of the alleged unexplained wealth of Commission on Elections Chairman Andres “Andy” Bautista in his 30 bank accounts after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II directed the NBI to scrutinize the case.

“PCGG will cooperate with the investigation being conducted by the DOJ and NBI,” PCGG chairman Reynold Munsayac told PhilStar.

After all the claims of his wife, the embattled Chairman Commission on Elections (Comelec) Andres Bautista continues to protect himself from all the allegations.

Justice Secretary Aguirre said in a media interview on Wednesday, “The opening of bank accounts is included in my directive to the NBI.” He said that the department was ordered to submit any updates or a monthly report about the said case.

Baustista was the the head of the PCGG in 2010.

Whether the marital issue will be settled or not, the investigation in the alleged undeclared 1 billion wealth of Bautista will still be pursued by the DOJ.

“This is not a private relationship matter. It concerns the money of the people of the Philippines. Whether they settle, I think the proceedings will continue either in the impeachment court or in ordinary criminal proceedings,” Aguirre emphasized.

Bautista declared a net worth of P176.3 million in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net worth or SALN for 2016.

Patricia Paz said in her past interviews that she discovered passbooks and property documents that are undeclared in the Comelec Chief’s SALN.

As of now, the  chairman is about to face possible graft and money-laundering case under Republic Act 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act) based on the allegations of her wife Patricia Paz.