Bautista’s estranged wife to file plunder case vs ex-poll chief

MANILA, Philippines — Resigned elections commissioner Juan Andres “Andy” Bautista is not yet off the hook as the camp of his estranged wife Patricia Bautista said they will file another case against him.

Patricia’s spokesperson, lawyer Lorna Kapunan, announced that they are set to file a plunder case against Andy now that he has lost immunity and is a private citizen.

“We are now on our way to making him accountable to the Filipino people,” Kapunan said in a press conference Tuesday.

“We're bringing out a plunder (case) for the complicity of Divina Law and Smartmatic and the family members who made possible the stealing from the Filipino people at the very least P1.2 billion,” she added.

Kapunan was referring to Patricia's earlier claims that her husband received commissions from Nilo Divina's law firm, DivinaLaw for referring companies such as Smartmatic, Baseco and the United Coconut Planters Bank.

Kapunan earlier threatened Andy that he may face plunder cases in regular courts. She also announced that Patricia is steadfast in pursuing corruption allegations against her husband.

The former poll chief announced his resignation last October 11. Andy wrote that his resignation is effective December 31 however President Rodrigo Duterte accepted his resignation and said it will take effect immediately.

On the same day last October 11, the lawmakers overrode the decision of the House Justice committee to junk the impeachment complaint against Andy. The members voted 137-75 to reverse its earlier decision.

Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption lawyers Jacinto Paras and Ferdinand Topacio filed the impeachment case before the House of Representatives.

The accusers alleged Andy committed culpable violation of the Constitution and betrayal of public trust. This was in connection with the poll chief’s alleged misdeclaration in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, which was raised by Patricia early August.