Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his ex-aide Aldrin Cuña have been convicted of graft by the Sandiganbayan.
The court found them guilty of the 2019 procurement of an Online Occupational Permitting Tracking System (OOPTS). Both men received sentences ranging from six to ten years in prison and were permanently disqualified from holding public office.
The case involved P32 million in public funds, which were already received by a private company not involved in the trial.
The decision highlights the importance of accountability in government dealings.
Neither Bautista nor Cuña were fined as the funds were not directly traceable to them.
This conviction marks a significant legal action against corruption in local government.
Source: PhilNews24 | January 20, 2025
