Estranged wife knew about family investments, Bautista's brother says

MANILA, Philippines — The brother of Commission on Elections chair Andres Bautista has defended the poll chief against recent allegations of undeclared wealth.

“Over the course of 25 years, he (Andres) did good. Marami po kaming kinita sa investments namin from various investments,” Martin Bautista, brother of Andres said in an interview with GMA News.

“And alam naman po ni Tisha Cruz-Bautista ito,” he added.

Patricia last Sunday alleged she found financial documents that prove Andres amassed P1 billion of unexplained wealth. The poll chief only declared P176.3 million net worth in 2016 but he denied these claims.

On Wednesday, Andy said his brother will return to Manila to clarify his estranged wife’s allegations. He said some of the documents presented by Patricia to the media are for investments by their family or are for bank account that are either closed or non-existent.

The poll chief explained that he was tasked by his family to act as their treasurer and grow their investments. He said his family will hold a press conference to answer Patricia’s allegations.

“All of these explained in due time,” Andres said.

Martin said that “it has been very clear from the beginning of time that Patricia knew” that he was investing that as far as when they were married in 2000.

“‘Di naman po kami sa nagmamalaki pero may kaya po kami. Huwag naman po nating palakihin itong 20 million dollars – this is conglomeration of my family's combined investment with my brother,” he added.

Prior to his service at the Presidential Commission on Good Government and Comelec, Andres served as the president of Shang Properties Inc. and Kuok Philippine Properties Inc.

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