- Former QC Mayor Herbert Bautista Found Guilty in P32M Online System Graft Case
- Bautista, Cuña Sentenced to Jail for Illegal Procurement of Online System
- Sandiganbayan: Bautista Guilty of Graft Over Quezon City Permitting System
The Sandiganbayan has convicted former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his former City Administrator, Aldrin Cuña, of graft.
The charges stem from the 2019 procurement of a P32.1 million Online Occupational Permitting and Tracking System (OOPTS).
The court found Bautista and Cuña guilty of violating Section 3(e) of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. This section prohibits public officials from giving unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference to any private party.
The Sandiganbayan sentenced both Bautista and Cuña to an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment ranging from six years and one month to ten years. They are also perpetually disqualified from holding public office.
The case centered on allegations that Bautista and Cuña showed partiality in awarding the OOPTS contract to Geodata Solutions. This was done despite the lack of a specific appropriation approved by the Quezon City council, a violation of procurement regulations.
Although the court did not order Bautista and Cuña to pay fines, it noted that the P32 million in public funds had already been received by Geodata Solutions. The firm was not a party to the case.
This conviction marks a significant development in the fight against corruption in the Philippines. It sends a strong message that public officials will be held accountable for their actions, even after leaving office.
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