MANILA, Philippines — Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and his former city administrator have been sentenced to six to 10 years in prison for graft by the Sandiganbayan for an anomalous procurement of a computer system for work permits in 2019.
In a 148-page decision released yesterday, the anti-graft court found Bautista and former city administrator Aldrin Cuña guilty of graft over the P32-million payment to information technology firm Geodata Solutions Inc. for an Online Occupational Permitting Tracking System meant to expedite applications for permit to work in Quezon City.
Prosecutors said the local government paid for the system even before its delivery and despite the absence of a city ordinance authorizing the project, indicating undue favor for Geodata.
The Sandiganbayan ruled the pair violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, which prohibits undue advantage or special treatment to private parties in a government procurement.
The court said the fact that the payments had been made even before the system was completely delivered was “enough to sustain the charge.”
“The rush to effect payment to Geodata just two days before the term of office of both accused expired reels with the corrupt intent, dishonest design or some unethical interest if only to ensure that Geodata received the payment,” the decision read.
“While the payment made was conceivably premature when the OOPTS was yet to be tested and installed, this only sealed accused’s manifest partiality to favor Geodata,” it added.
Despite their prison sentence, the court did not impose fines on the pair, citing how the P32 million had already been transferred to Geodata and could no longer be recovered.
“No civil liability will be adjudged at this instance considering that the amount of P32,107,912 cannot be directed to be paid by either accused, the same having been received in full by a private party which is not a party to this case,” the Sandiganbayan said.
Bautista was Quezon City mayor from 2010 to 2019. He is expected to appeal the conviction.