■ GARCIA FILES IMPEACHMENT COMPLAINT AGAINST COMELEC’S BAUTISTA

Deputy Speaker Gwen Garcia and two other members of the House of Representatives filed on Wednesday an impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista. About two weeks ago, the Comelec chairman’s wife Patricia accused him of amassing around P1 billion in unexplained wealth that he had concealed from his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth. Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque, one of those who filed the complaint, said that Patricia’s lawyers have assured she is ready to testify against the Comelec chief.

House Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia, Kabayan Partylist Representative Harry Roque, and Cavite Representative Abraham Tolentino endorsed the impeachment complaint against Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman Juan Andres Bautista yesterday. The complaint by Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) General Counsel Ferdinand Topacio and former Negros Oriental representative Jacinto Paras represented by lawyer Manuelito Luna, was lodged before the House Secretary General’s office yesterday, roughly two weeks after Bautista’s estranged wife Patricia exposed his possible “ill-gotten” wealth. According to the complaint, Bautista culpably violated the Constitution and/ or betrayed the public trust. Roque said Patricia’s lawyers have assured that she will testify before the impeachment court. Paras said this will serve as a warning to Comelec officials to protect the integrity of the poll body. /