FORMER COMMISSION on Elections (Comelec) chair Andres D. Bautista did not appear at a Senate investigation on his alleged unexplained hidden wealth set on Wednesday, Dec. 6. Senator Francis Joseph G, Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on banks and financial institutions, confirmed that an invitation was sent to Mr. Bautista, and that the committee will now request Senate President Aquilino L. Pimentel III for an issuance of a subpoena to compel him to attend the next hearing in January. “We will await,” Mr. Escudero said in an ambush interview yesterday. Mr. Escudero noted that Mr. Bautista and his brother have issued statements and “challenges” indicating their willingness to cooperate in the investigation. “Hinihintay namin na panindigan nila yung binitiwan nilang salitang ’yun (We are waiting for them to stand by their words),” Mr. Escudero said. — Arjay L. Balinbin

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR