Herbert Bautista faces charges on graft over P57 million worth of projects
HERBERT BAUTISTA – The former Quezon City Mayor and former city administrator Aldrin Cuña are facing graft cases filed by the Office of the Ombudsman before the Sandiganbayan, relating to two government projects in 2019. These cases were approved by Ombudsman Samuel Martires on February 3, 2023.
The first case involves the release of P32.107 million to an IT firm for the procurement of an online occupation permitting and tracking system, despite the absence of a specific appropriation ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Panglungsod. Bautista allegedly entered into a contract with the firm and approved the release of the full payment, and Cuña signed the purchase request certifying that the charge to the appropriation was lawful and under his direct supervision.
In the second case, the payment of the full amount of P25.342 million was made to another firm for the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works for a civic center building. The Ombudsman stated that Bautista signed the disbursement voucher approving the payment, even though the company failed to secure a net metering system from Meralco, and Cuña issued a certificate of acceptance.
The Ombudsman recommended a bail bond of P90,000 for each accused in both cases. The Sandiganbayan received the cases on March 15, 2023, and upon raffle, the first case was assigned to the 7th Division, while the second case was assigned to the 3rd Division.
Meanwhile, ABS-CBN News has reached out to Bautista’s camp for comment and is awaiting a reply.
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