Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 12) — The Office of the Ombudsman has filed graft and corruption charges against former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista over projects worth more than ₱57 million.
The Office of the Ombudsman also accused Bautista’s city administrator, Aldrin Cuña, of violating Section (3) of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act involving two anomalous government projects in 2019.
According to the criminal information signed by Ombudsman Samuel Martires, Bautista and Cuña allegedly released public funds amounting to ₱25.3 million to Cygnet Energy and Power Asia for solar power system and waterproofing works for the Quezon City Civic Center, despite the firm’s failure to secure a Net Metering System from Meralco.
The second case alleged both former officials of facilitating and approving the release of ₱32.1 million to Geodata Solutions Inc. for procurement of a permitting and tracking system.
Bautista and Cuña purportedly entered into the contract with the IT firm despite lacking a specific appropriation ordinance enacted by the Sangguniang Panlunsod.
The Ombudsman further stated that Cuña signed the purchase request certifying that the charge to the appropriation was lawful and under his direct supervision.
A bail bond of ₱90,000 each was recommended.
