Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista —Photo from Herbert “Bistek” Bautista/Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — The camp of former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista will file a motion for reconsideration on Sandiganbayan’s decision to convict him of graft in connection with the over P32 million contract for the procurement of an online processing system of the city’s occupational permitting and tracking system in 2019.
In a Viber message, Bautista’s lawyer and University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina said they are “deeply saddened” by decision of the the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division.
Article continues after this advertisementREAD: Sandigan finds former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista guilty of graft
FEATURED STORIES NEWSINFO Sandigan finds former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista guilty of graft NEWSINFO CIDG chief Torre to file cyber libel raps vs Jay Sonza, vlogger NEWSINFO Hontiveros assures Marcos: No risky clauses in anti-teen pregnancy bill“We maintain his innocence and assert that no act constituting the offense was committed. Notably, the vote was split 2-1, highlighting reasonable doubt,” the statement read.
“Evidence presented in the trial confirmed the project was delivered and received by the Quezon City Government, with payment made by the succeeding administration. Mayor Bautista did not financially benefit from the project, and no harm or injury was incurred by the city or its people,” it added.
Memorandum Order No. 43 will be in force immediately.
Article continues after this advertisement“We will file a motion for reconsideration, hopeful that a thorough review of the evidence will affirm his innocence,” it further said.
Article continues after this advertisementEarlier Monday, the Sandiganbayan Special Third Division likewise found former City Administrator Aldrin Cuña guilty.
Article continues after this advertisementBoth are sentenced to “an indeterminate penalty of imprisonment of six years and one month as minimum to 10 years as maximum.”
no deposit spinsBautista and Cuña will also suffer “perpetual disqualification to hold public office.”
Article continues after this advertisementBased on previous reports, state prosecutors accused Bautista and Cuña of facilitating the full payment of supplier Geodata Solutions Inc. without authorization from the city council and before the completion of the project.
In 2023, Bautista denied being part of any conspiracy to commit graft, saying that the purported conspiracy could not be proven with the fact that he entered into a contract.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter