Comelec chief asks estranged wife to stop ‘media circus’

FILE: Comelec Chair Andres Bautista (PNA Photo)

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chair Andres “Andy” Bautista on Thursday pleaded to the camp of his estranged wife, Patricia Paz “Tish” Bautista, to stop this ‘media circus’ for the sake of their kids.

Bautista said in an interview to let the courts decide since cases have been filed and will be filed in court. He added that they should follow due process of law and should not try it in the media because it is not doing any good for his children.

According to Bautista, the controversy has left his children in pain so much that they have not been attending to school. One of his kids keeps complaining of stomachache and the other just always wants to sleep. He said that this ‘media circus’ is really at his children’s expense.

“I know they have already been damaged. What I am just trying to do is to mitigate and hopefully give them a fair opportunity to grow up as stable individuals.

That’s all,” Bautista added.

Bautista stressed that he doesn’t want to worry about what his wife’s camp will say, his primary concern are his children.

Comelec Chief and his wife have been exchanging accusations since Monday. His wife accused him for having nearly P1 billion worth of ‘unexplained wealth’. Patricia submitted documents last August 1 to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) revealing that the Comelec chief “might have had, or currently has, misleading and corrupt practices while in government service,” based on a report from Philippine Daily Inquirer.

The poll chief denied accusation of his wife. In return, he has filed criminal complaints against his estranged wife and charged her with grave coercion, extortion, qualified theft and robbery. He also added that he is willing to face any investigation related to his wife’s allegations.

Meanwhile, Comelec officials and employees expressed their full support to the poll chief as they attended a mass at the Manila Cathedral.