Bautista hopeful of hurdling impeachment complaint

August 29, 2017

Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Andres Bautista said Tuesday he is hopeful of hurdling an impeachment complaint filed against him by former Negros Oriental Representative Jacinto Paras at the House of Representatives.

In an interview, Bautista said he has read the 23-page impeachment complaint.

"Yes, I have read it already and it appears we can overcome it," said Bautista.

Asked if his confidence would mean he is not thinking of resigning, Bautista smiled and ended the interview.

Last week, Paras and lawyer Ferdinand Topacio filed an impeachment complaint and accused Bautista of committing irregularities on the 2016 national elections, ineptitude in addressing a hacking attack of the Comelec website, and failure to disclose his net worth.

All six Comelec  commissioners asked Bautista last week to decide if he will go on leave or resign.

But the Comelec held a regular en banc meeting without any tension.

In separate interviews, Bautista, and Commissioners Luie Guia and Christian Lim said they were able to deliberate on matters.

"We were unanimous on certain items but we also had certain disagreements but without anybody being disagreeable. And that is how a collegial body should be. And I was happy with how it turned out," said Bautista.

"It was strictly business. We wanted to finish those that are in the agenda of the en banc. Whatever issues we need to take up, we were able to," said Lim.

"They should not worry because the COMELEC will do its function. We will be responsible. Everything that we are supposed to do, we are doing and we are preparing for the elections. We wil give the public the elections that they deserve," said Guia. DMS