Bautista resigns as Comelec chairman

October 11, 2017

A week after hurdling an impeachment complaint at the House of Representatives, Commission on Elections (Comelec ) chairman Andres Bautista said Wednesday he is resigning,

In a statement he read before Comelec  employees, Bautista said he will stay on until the end of the year.

"It is with deep sadness that I am informing you about my decision to resign as the chairman of the Comelec by the end of the year," said Bautista.

He said his family's needs is the main reason for resigning.

Bautista said it is the right time to resign as the October 23 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) polls are postponed to May 2018.

"After much prayer and discernment, I believe that it is the right time to step down given the postponement of the barangay and SK elections," he said.

"This was not an easy decision. But my family, especially my children, need me now more than ever," added Bautista.

He said he believes he was able to do his job well as Comelec chair since he was appointed by President Benigno Aquino III in 2015. .

"I believe I have served our Commission well and our Filipino people to the best of my ability," said Bautista.

"Amid the hurtful, baseless, and malicious accusations hurled against me, most of you never left my side. From the bottom of my heart, thank you my Comelec family," said Bautista. DMS