MANILA - (UPDATE) Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista admitted Friday he is thinking about resigning his post after being accused of hiding nearly P1 billion in unexplained wealth.

"Pinag-iisipan at pinagdadasal," he told reporters at the sidelines of an election congress in Malolos, Bulacan when asked about the rumors that he is stepping down.

(Thinking about it and praying about it.)

"We’re considering various options, pero pinag-iisipan, pinag-aaralan, at pinagdadasal natin. I think this is part of the process," he said when pressed about the possibility of him taking a leave instead.

(We are thinking about it, studying it, and praying about it.)

Bautista also shrugged his shoulders when asked about the supposed plans to have him impeached. "Ganiyan talaga ang proseso," he said.

(The process really works that way.)

Bautista said he is thankful for the outpouring of support for him, as employees in the Malolos Election Congress donned shirts with the statement, "We stand for Chairman Andy."

"Nakakataba ng puso at nakakapag-bigay ng lakas," he said.

(It warms the heart and gives me strength.)

The poll chief last week was accused by his wife, Patricia, of misdeclaring his wealth. He denied wrongdoing and accused his wife of stealing passbooks and other bank documents from their home.

His family came to his defense, with his brother claiming he had at least $1.7 million in joint investments with the poll chief at one point, and that the issue was an effort to cast doubt on the integrity of the 2016 elections.

"Wag tayong magsisiraan, especially about the elections because itong mga chismis na si (Leni) Robredo tuloy ang naging vice president dahil sa kapatid ko—that’s a complete lie," said Martin Bautista.

(Let us not malign each other, especially about the elections because this rumor that Leni Robredo became the vice president because of my brother is a complete lie.)

"Let’s not destroy our country by putting these. Wala naman, puro chismis yun, unsubstantiated. To think, can a commissioner of the elections really change the outcome? I don’t think so," he added.

(Let us not destroy out country by putting these. These are all rumors, unsubstantiated. To think, can a commissioner of the elections really change the outcome? I don’t think so.)