Senate issues arrest order vs. ex-Comelec chief Bautista

FILE: Former Comelec chair Andres Bautista. (PNA PHOTO)

The Senate ordered the arrest of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chair Andres “Andy” Bautista for repeatedly skipping hearings on his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

According to Senator Francis Escudero, chairman of the Senate Committee on Banks, Financial, Institutions and Currencies, Senate President Aquilino Pimentel II penned the order on Wednesday, February 21. The arrest order was released on Monday.

“Just learned that Koko signed it last Wednesday,” Escudero was quoted as saying in a Rappler report.

Despite a subpoena issued against him, Bautista still failed to attend the panel’s probe. The former poll chief said he sent a letter to the committee, explaining that he was not able to receive any invitation as he was out of the country since November 21 last year.

Bautista added that he travelled abroad to explore professional opportunities and seek medical assistance.

The Senate’s Office of the Sergeant at Arms (OSAA) will now be delivering the arrest warrant to Bautista.

“The OSAA (Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) will try to serve it (arrest warrant) by coordinating with various law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Immigration and wait for it to be returned, served, or unserved and will submit a corresponding report to the committee,” the senator said.

He added that the committee would schedule another inquiry before Congress goes into session break in March.

The former Comelec chief was accused by his wife, Patricia, of having nearly P1-billion worth of ‘unexplained wealth’ which he failed to declare in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth (SALN). This allegation was denied by Bautista and in return, sued his wife for robbery and extortion.

He earlier faced impeachment complaint over his wife accusations. But before it could even make progress, Bautista decided to leave his post, saying that it was the right time to step down as his family, especially his children, need him more than ever.

He was replaced by Sheriff Abas who was appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte last November.