Andy Bautista Saga in THE KINGMAKER

Posted on April 6, 2022

Imelda Marcos is the main subject in SHOWTIME produced documentary THE KINGMAKER. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Written by

Jude Thaddeus Bautista

Pres. Duterte: Ako’y simpleng Mayor. Dumating dito. Sa totoo lang, just to illustrate to you, how destiny plays out. Wala akong pera. Si Imee pa nagbigay. Sabi niya inutang daw niya. Si Imee supported me. I don’t know why. My father was a cabinet member of President Marcos during the first term of his presidency.

Pres. Duterte claimed Imee Marcos financially backed his campaign. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

[CUT TO interview] Imee being asked about campaign contribution. Imee: Masyado naman ang ating Presidente. Alam mo naman si President talagang agent provocateur.

Imee Marcos; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

[CUT TO interview] Bong Bong: First of all wala naman akong na laman na deal. We have been supportive of him from the very beginning. If there was any help or any assistance given to then candidate Duterte it was in the form of political endorsements. A form of political support.

BBM lost the VP elections in 2016; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

[CUT TO interview] Andy Bautista: Obviously there is that connection wherein money that had been looted and hidden is now being brought back into the Philippines. In order to finance political campaigns. The PCGG was created solely to pursue the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses. And what they want to do now is give that power to the Solicitor General who actively campaigned for Senator Marcos in the 2016 elections.

Andy Bautista interviewed as PCGG Chairman in 2014. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Andy Bautista: Cases will probably be dismissed. And the assets that are under the supervision of the PCGG will probably be returned to the Marcoses. It is quite ironic that having gone after the Marcos ill-gotten wealth, which is in the billions of dollars, I am now being accused of having gotten ill-gotten wealth in the millions of pesos. And these allegations are baseless. Yet they were being made, I know, because they wanted to destroy my credibility. As well as the credibility of the 2016 elections.

The sequence above is from the documentary THE KINGMAKER by award winning filmmaker Lauren Greenfield, who has both writing and directing credits. The docu produced for THE SHOWTIME network in the U.S., spans 5 years- from 2014 to 2019. Read my full review of THE KINGMAKER: Marcos Comeback Via Duterte

THE KINGMAKER on Youtube Watch it here:

The Kingmaker (available in the Philippines only)

2014-2018

That time period is also extremely critical. Imelda Marcos and family members were the main ‘subject’. Perhaps acting as an accidental antagonist is another main interviewee in Andy Bautista.

2014, when filming began, Bautista was already appointed as Chairman of the PCGG (Presidential Commission on Good Government). The PCGG is the agency tasked to recover the ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses.

It was a post that he wanted to reject, except that he was promised it was a ‘temporary’ assignment until a better one came along. Bautista was later assigned as Chairman of the Commission on Elections. And the 2016 Elections (under his leadership) was generally regarded as one of the cleanest and most credible. For the first time, Bautista invited international observers from dozens of countries as to how they conducted the 2016 Presidential Elections. Something that was not repeated by the succeeding COMELEC Chairman in the following polls.

Imelda Marcos’ jewelry; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Bongbong Marcos, who ran for VP, lost by several hundred thousands of votes to Leni Robredo. Needless to say Bongbong disputed the results and demanded a recount. Which only added to the tally of votes FOR Robredo, even after a recount that took more than 2 years. Presided over by no less than the Supreme Court. From CNN PHL: Robredo widens lead over Marcos in initial poll recount – PET

False Accusations

Sadly, Andy Bautista was in even more dire straits. The Duterte administration, pounced on a personal tragedy of Bautista that resulted in baseless accusations of corruption. After which he was made to resign as COMELEC Chairman in 2017.

Imelda Marcos with George Hamilton; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

I was in a special position to write a piece on Andy believing in his innocence. He is a long-time family friend. His character and family background was something I was very much familiar with having known him (for decades) since I was a teenager. People sometimes mistake us as relatives because we have the same last name. But I am not as privileged. We met as badminton buddies in the 80s.

At the time, I was under the impression the reason for Andy’s persecution was Duterte’s desire to wrest control of the COMELEC. By filling it with his own appointees. The assumption may have only been partially correct. Read the full story here: Latest Threat To Our Democracy

Imelda Marcos’ jewelry; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Vindication

THE KINGMAKER, however, suggests that the reason for the Duterte administration’s attacks on Andy was much deeper and goes further. Back in 2014 as PCGG Chairman, he had caught the ire of the Marcoses who had assumed a return to power and influence under the Duterte Administration.

In a way, the documentary was a vindication of sorts. Lauren Greenfield was able to establish the Marcos’ hidden wealth, how they bankrolled Duterte’s Presidential campaign and their return to influence and political power. Not least of which is Duterte’s permission for the late dictator’s burial in Libingan Ng Mga Bayani.

From right: Imelda Marcos, Imee Marcos and BBM. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

This puts the current election where Bongbong Marcos running as President in a clearer context. Bongbong’s path to the Presidency was already being cleared, when the Marcoses helped install Duterte in office.

Self-Exile

In the beginning we see Andy Bautista being interviewed in THE KINGMAKER as PCGG Chairman and then as COMELEC Chairman. Those interviews were conducted in the Philippines. In later scenes we see him in an undisclosed hotel in the U.S. From the time I wrote my article on him, the public had no idea of the threats going on in his life. It was more dangerous than even I had anticipated.

Thankfully, He was able to escape to the U.S.. He related his experiences to Alison Stewart of AMANPOUR & CO. “I left the country in 2017 and this happened because there were a lot of pressure. If I can just relate. I was here during the November 2016 elections. I was an observer in Washington DC. When I came home, to Manila, all of a sudden my house was being guarded by armed guards.”

“I was being prevented to return to my own house. When I got inside the house, I saw my personal files had been ransacked. My computers had been hacked. And there was this huge extortion play against me and my family. That went on for several months. To the point that for the good of my family, especially for my children, perhaps I should first leave the country. In order to give them breathing space. “

Lauren Greenfield and Andy Bautista Discuss “The Kingmaker” | Amanpour and Company

Admitted Marcos-Duterte Alliance

THE KINGMAKER Writer / Director Lauren Greenfield, joined Andy in that AMANPOUR & Co. interview in November 2019. Alison Stewart asked Greenfield to expound on the connection between the Marcoses and President Duterte. (The lead quote above is the relevant sequence from the docu)

Lauren Greenfield said, “That was a revelation that was kind of a breaking news piece at the end of our story. At first I knew Duterte admired Marcos. But it wasn’t until he revealed in a press conference that Imee Marcos, daughter of Imelda had given him financing for the campaign. That we really realized the extent of the alliance.” The alliance would also help explain the greater motivation for attacks against Andy Bautista.

Martial Law victims protest Pres. Marcos burial in Libingan Ng Mga Bayani. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on this vimeo link: https://vimeo.com/358556466

Duterte’s Quid Pro Quo

In exchange for their financial support, Duterte would later on allow the unallowable. Greenfield explained, “Shortly after that, Duterte after he became President allowed a Heroes burial for President Marcos. Which People Power, who opposed Marcos, who knew of their crimes, were just horrified. He could be buried in a Heroes’ Cemetery. Etta Rosales who was head of the Human Rights Commission, said in the beginning of the film ‘ The Filipino people would never allow that’. And so the unthinkable happened. It was interpreted as a quid pro quo.”

Trump Parallels and Prevalence of Fake News

Alison Stewart was aghast at the similarities between then Pres. Trump and Duterte. As Trump had his own Quid Pro Quo scandals at the same period. The similarities also influenced Greenfield, “There were a lot of stunning parallels that definitely influenced me in the editing and making of the film. I’ve been thinking about that. Duterte like Trump was a surprise. He was somebody who made someone feel he was one of the people. He swears a lot and is very vulgar in his language. Yet he does come from an elite background.”

Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

The prevalence of fake news that propelled Trump to power, was similarly taking place even back in the Philippines’ 2016 elections. Greenfield said, “It was an election that was influenced by disinformation and fake news propagated through social media. And I think because there was so much poverty they were able to be influenced. Both by social media and by money that was offered in exchange for voting as can happen in the Philippines. So people wanted the kind of change, promises of change, that a strongman in the form of Duterte offered. I think it could be a cautionary tale for us.”

BBM files electoral protest in 2016. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Beneficiary of Fake News

Incidentally, Bongbong Marcos’ closest rival VP Leni Robredo has been the biggest victim of fake news here in the current Presidential election. Is it any wonder that trolls and fake news have been attributed to the Marcos campaign?

“There is also positive messaging and we see substantial or significant volumes of false or misleading claims about presidential candidate Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in which case these are largely positive in his favor, seeking to promote him,” said Yvonne Chua, University of the Philippines journalism associate professor. From PDI: Robredo is biggest disinformation victim; Marcos gains from ‘misleading’ posts — fact-checker

Extrajudicial killing during the Duterte administration. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

More Extreme

Greenfield, however, made clear that Duterte was way worse than Trump. This is because of the occurrence of extrajudicial killings, “Its more extreme of course. More than 30,000 people have been killed in extra judicial killings. But some of the attacks on the press, on the independence of the judiciary do make us think of the threats to our democracy here. (in the U.S.)”

Andy Bautista and THE KINGMAKER writer director Lauren Greenfield in Amanpour & Co., November 2019. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Erasing Sins

Going back to THE KINGMAKER’s main character, Greenfield explains how Imelda is not simply lying or delusional. There is a method to her madness, “One of the most egregious examples was when she said that Martial Law was a great time in the Philippines. It was a great time for Filipino sovereignty and human rights. And it was a time that was terrible for human rights. 70,000 imprisoned, 30,000 tortured, 3,000 killed. So the fact that she could say it was one of the greatest times for the Marcos regime and a good time for human rights has no relation in reality.”

“ I think that there you see that she does have agency and strategy about what she’s saying. Because by saying it’s the best time, she’s rewriting history. Erasing the sins of the past, in a way that positions her and her family to return to power.”

Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

170 Bank Accounts

One of the biggest revelations of THE KINGMAKER was when Imelda admitted on camera, having ‘170 Bank accounts‘:

Imelda: Look I am no longer First Lady. I’m not even allowed to go around the world anymore. They prohibit me. I have money in 170 banks and deposits of assets. I cannot even have them. And I even at my age can go around the world and bring world peace! I befriended all of them. Qaddafi was a friend, Saddam Hussein, Mr. Mao Tse Tung. I just gave respect to him. He took my hand and kissed it. In five minutes, he said, ‘Mrs. Marcos you started the end of the cold war’. In five minutes, Mao! And who is Imelda?

During the Amanpour & Co. interview, Greenfield and Bautista shared their reactions.

Andy Bautista: I saw the film in Telluride and I heard her say that, I told Lauren I wish I had heard that when I was still in office because again, this is a revelation. 170 bank accounts all over the world! (everyone laughs)

Lauren Greenfield: He said he could have used it as evidence.

left: Alison Stewart interviews Andy Bautista and THE KINGMAKER writer director Lauren Greenfield in Amanpour & Co., November 2019. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

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Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Andy Bautista was able to escape to the U.S. 2017. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Imelda Marcos’ Monet; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Imelda Marcos’ jewelry; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

THE KINGMAKER Writer / Director Lauren Greenfield; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Imelda Marcos’ jewelry; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

Hundreds of case files of the Marcoses. Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links:
with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

Imelda Marcos’ shoes in Malacañang, 1986; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

WordPress:

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Andy Bautista in Amanpour & Co., November 2019; Watch THE KINGMAKER here on these two links: with English audio – https://vimeo.com/682116904
and in Filipino Dub and subtitles – https://vimeo.com/693601205

WordPress:

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , http://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,