MANILA, Philippines - Beleaguered Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista yesterday questioned the motives of the six poll commissioners who called for his leave of absence and resignation.
Bautista said he was surprised by the turn of events when commissioners Rowena Guanzon, Christian Robert Lim, Al Parreño, Luie Tito Guia, Arthur Lim and Sheriff Abas called a press conference on Thursday.
“I was not expecting that. I was really surprised because we were together that (Thursday) morning. It’s somehow painful. They could have talked to me in private,” he said.
Bautista said earlier that day, he led the six poll officials in attending the budget hearing at the House of the Representatives.
Bautista said he was not aware that the six poll commissioners had made a “concerted move” against him.
Later that day, the six commissioners held a press conference saying they were “constrained to come out in the open to strongly and urgently urge chair Bautista to go on leave of absence for such period as may be necessary or resign for his own sake.”
The poll officials said Bautista should take a leave of absence or resign to prepare against a slew of investigations and possible impeachment.
The commissioners complained that more than two weeks have elapsed following the accusations but Bautista “has not made good on his promise that he would inform us soonest on his course of action of either leave of absence or resignation.”
Bautista, however, maintained he is just waiting for the right time as he had stated while considering all options.
“I am thinking, consulting and praying for the right thing to do but why do a press con? Sometimes, it’s not only your timing but what is important is the timing of the One up there,” he said.
– With Marvin Sy