Camp of Bautista's wife expresses fears he would no longer return to PH
Published Feb 12, 2018 05:18 pm
By Hannah Torregoza
The camp of former Commission on Elections (Comelec) chief Andres Bautista’s estranged wife today expressed fears that he would no longer return to the country now that he is facing possible plunder charges.
Atty. Lorna Kapunan, legal counsel of Patricia Bautista, said that while the Senate committee on banks, financial institutions and currencies’ move to hold Bautista in contempt for failing to show up at the Senate investigation into his alleged unexplained wealth is a positive development he might not return to face the allegations against him.
Patricia Bautista (Jansen Romero / Manila Bulletin file photo)
“The warrant of arrest is a welcome development but I think he knows the consequence that if he comes here, there will be probable cause for plunder charges and that would be nonbailable, which leaves us to be concerned he might not come back,” Kapunan said.
Kapunan noted that at the time the impeachment proceedings against Bautista was rolling at the House of Representatives, the evidence against him were strong enough to impeach him of plunder.
“If you are really claiming innocence, then flight is not consistent with innocence. It is guilt that is consistent with flight…November pa wala nang contact with the children,” Kapunan said.
In a separate interview, Patricia said she had information that her husband is in the United States. It was Patricia who blew the whistle on her husband’s alleged ill-gotten wealth and questionable bank accounts especially with the Land Development Bank of the Philippines (LDB).
“From what I understand. Again, I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him,” Patricia said.
Patricia said she, too, hopes that her husband would finally face the Senate committee and submit to the probe.
“Like anybody else, we would like to know the truth about these documents and this is the best venue for that and like what Sen. Chiz (Escudero) said, out of respect of the Senate, please appear,” Patricia said.
“Unfortunately, I think the Senate is very kind to give him the leeway and he didn’t have to get to this point. Unfortunately he has, so we are here now,” she said.
Patricia Bautista (Jansen Romero / Manila Bulletin file photo)
“The warrant of arrest is a welcome development but I think he knows the consequence that if he comes here, there will be probable cause for plunder charges and that would be nonbailable, which leaves us to be concerned he might not come back,” Kapunan said.
Kapunan noted that at the time the impeachment proceedings against Bautista was rolling at the House of Representatives, the evidence against him were strong enough to impeach him of plunder.
“If you are really claiming innocence, then flight is not consistent with innocence. It is guilt that is consistent with flight…November pa wala nang contact with the children,” Kapunan said.
In a separate interview, Patricia said she had information that her husband is in the United States. It was Patricia who blew the whistle on her husband’s alleged ill-gotten wealth and questionable bank accounts especially with the Land Development Bank of the Philippines (LDB).
“From what I understand. Again, I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him,” Patricia said.
Patricia said she, too, hopes that her husband would finally face the Senate committee and submit to the probe.
“Like anybody else, we would like to know the truth about these documents and this is the best venue for that and like what Sen. Chiz (Escudero) said, out of respect of the Senate, please appear,” Patricia said.
“Unfortunately, I think the Senate is very kind to give him the leeway and he didn’t have to get to this point. Unfortunately he has, so we are here now,” she said.