Photo credit: Herbert “Bistek” Bautista

Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his ex-city administrator Aldrin Cuña have been convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan. This high-profile case revolves around a 2019 online occupational permitting and tracking system project that has now led to hefty penalties for the two officials.

The court's decision was clear-cut: both Bautista and Cuña were found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of violating Section 3 (e) of Republic Act No. 3019, also known as the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. The penalty? A prison term ranging from six years and one month to a maximum of ten years. In addition to this, both are perpetually barred from holding any public office in the future.

The project in question involved a staggering amount of PHP 32,107,912.50, which had been fully received by a private party not included in this case. Thus, no civil liability was adjudged against Bautista and Cuña for the financial aspect of the project.

This verdict marks a significant moment in the fight against corruption, sending a strong message about accountability in public service. As the legal dust settles, the implications of this ruling will undoubtedly reverberate through political and public service circles in Quezon City and beyond.