Herbert Bautista Found Not Guilty in Solar Power Project Case
HERBERT BAUTISTA – The former Quezon City mayor has been cleared of graft charges by the Sandiganbayan 3rd Division.
The case stemmed from allegations that Bautista, along with former City Administrator Aldrin Cuña, violated the Anti-Graft Law in connection with the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works for Civic Building F at Quezon City Hall. The controversy arose after full payment of over ₱25 million was released to the contractor, Cygnet Energy and Power Asia Inc., despite claims that some parts of the project, particularly the Net Metering System, had not been fully delivered.
Bautista’s legal team, DivinaLaw, argued that the former mayor was no longer in office when the payment check was released. They also presented documents showing that the projects had been fully delivered, the solar power system was operational, and the contracts had gone through proper bidding procedures and received approval from the City Council.
In its decision, the Sandiganbayan found that the prosecution failed to prove Bautista’s alleged wrongdoing, leading to his full acquittal. In contrast, Cuña was found guilty and sentenced to six to eight years in prison. He was also disqualified from holding any government position in the future.
Meanwhile, Herbert “Bistek” Bautista is an actor and politician who has spent decades in public service. He began as president of the Kabataang Barangay National Federation and youth sector councilor, then served as Quezon City councilor, vice mayor, and commissioner of the National Youth Commission.
Bautista was elected mayor of Quezon City in 2010 and served three terms until 2019. Active in civic and youth organizations, he also led the National Movement of Young Legislators. In 2022, he sought a Senate seat but was later removed from the slate.