MANILA, Philippines – Amid calls by his colleagues for him to either take a leave of absence or resign and the filing of an impeachment complaint against him, Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Andres Bautista on Monday said he was still praying for God’s guidance on what to do.
“Ayokong gumawa ng desisyon na emotional lamang…Sa mga ganitong kabanata sa isang buhay, talagang napakalahaga rin na makita ang kamay ng ating Panginoon na nagbibigay ng giya kung ano ba talaga ang gagawin,” said Bautista in an interview with dzMM radio.
[I don’t want to make an emotional decision…In this chapter of one’s life, it’s also very important to see our God’s hands that give guidance on what should really be done.]
Nevertheless, the Comelec chief, who was earlier accused by his wife Patricia of having ill-gotten wealth amounting to some P1 billion, said it won’t take long before he makes his decision because “nobody’s irreplaceable.”
Asked how he was, Bautista said he’s now at a crossroads, undergoing trying times, and seeking God’s guiding light.
“Hindi naman kaila sa marami na talagang mahirap po itong…aking pinagdadaanan. Sa ganitong panahon nga talagang napakahalaga na dumulog sa taas…para makakita ng kalinawan…Ako ay nasa isang sangandaan,” the poll chief.
Despite his predicament, Bautista said he wanted the public to know that he could still effectively perform his duties as Comelec chief.
He said he just took a a day off last Wednesday, August 23, to attend to the needs of his four children and then came back to work the following day to defend the Comelec’s proposed budget before the House of Representatives.
“Ang gusto ko ring masabi sa taumabayan, habang ako po ay nakaupo, lahat ng trabaho ay nagagampanan ko. Ako’y nag-absent lang po ng isang araw, noong Miyerkules, nagpaalam ng mahusay, nag-file ng leave of absence, then humarap sa Kamara…” he said.
