COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) Commissioner Rowena Guanzon has told embattled Chairman Juan Andres Bautista to temporarily leave his post "for the sake of the poll body" amid the ill-gotten wealth allegation hurled against him by his own wife.
In an ambush interview at the House of Representatives after the deferred budget hearing of Comelec, Guanzon revealed that she advised Bautista to take some time off work after his wife went public with her allegations.
"I have told him since day one when this problem became public that my advice is for him to take a leave before he decides to resign or whatever, so that we can have smooth functioning in the Comelec," Guanzon told reporters.
"Mag-leave ka na really for the sake of Comelec. Alanganin eh," she said, adding that Bautista even "nodded and replied he will consider it."
Bautista on Wednesday snubbed the House appropriations panel's budget hearing for Comelec in order to meet with his children's guidance counselor.
Lawmakers rescheduled the deliberations to Thursday but warned the poll body of "consequences" if Bautista and all commissioners will not show up.
According to Guanzon, the commissioners had already "anticipated" problems with the budget should Bautista remain in his post.
"[M]any of the commissioners did anticipate potential problems with our budget hearing if our chair is in the country but he is not on leave… Budget po ito, nakaka takot po kasi baka magalit sa amin ang mga kongresista. Baka bawasan ang budget namin. 2018 is our preparation year for 2019 elections," she said.
The election official added that she can "understand" Bautista, but said that work at Comelec must be the priority.
"I can understand his personal predicament pero may mga priorities po tayo para sa bayan at para sa Comelec," Guanzon said.
Guanzon then assured that the all heads of Comelec will be present on Thursday to defend their proposed budget before lawmakers.
"Sure po kami na darating bukas. We have asked (Comelec) Executive Director (Jose Tolentino) to contact Chairman Bautista…He should be present," she said. (SunStar Philippines)