Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista. ARCHIVE

The Sandiganbayan on Monday (January 20) convicted former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and his administrator Aldrin Cuña of graft in connection with a P32.11-million project. The anti-graft court sentenced both officials to six to ten years in prison and barred them from holding public office permanently. The charges stemmed from Bautista and Cuña's approval of full payment to Geodata Solutions Inc. for the Online Occupational Permitting and Tracking System in June 2019. However, the system remained unusable for three years and was only made operational in 2022 after a different IT company fixed the glitches. “The rush to effect payment to Geodata just two days before the term of office of both accused expired reeks of corrupt intent,” the court ruling stated. Bautista signed the disbursement voucher on June 28, 2019, while Cuña served as the final signatory before the check was issued. Their terms ended on June 30, 2019. During the trial, officials from Quezon City’s Business Permits and Licensing Department testified that the Geodata system was delivered but could not be used. Even the vendor’s representative failed to provide essential details like the web address for the application during a demonstration. Paul Padilla, the city’s Information Technology Development Department chief, said the system was unusable upon delivery. “The hardware and software were glitchy, and even Geodata’s own representative couldn’t make it work,” he explained. The court ruling, penned by Associate Justice Ma. Theresa Dolores Gomez-Estoesta, noted that Geodata’s applications did not meet the criteria for complete delivery, supporting the prosecution’s claims. Associate Justice Zaldy Trespeses concurred with the decision, while Associate Justice Georgina Hidalgo dissented, arguing that the evidence did not sufficiently prove bad faith or negligence. In 2022, the Sandiganbayan indicted Bautista and Cuña over the failed project under the administration of Mayor Joy Belmonte. Bautista, known as “Bistek” from his acting career, had served as Quezon City mayor from 2010 to 2019. The ruling emphasized that public officials should act with integrity, particularly when handling taxpayer money. The court stated, “The actions of the accused highlight a blatant disregard for ethical governance.” The convicted officials still have legal options, including filing a motion for reconsideration with the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division or elevating the case to the Supreme Court through an appeal. CAM/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page