Former Quezon City mayor Herbert “Bistek” Bautista and former city administrator Aldrin Cuña are facing charges in connection with an allegedly anomalous P32-million online occupational permitting and tracking system project in 2019.
The Sandiganbayan has admitted all the documentary evidence presented by the Office of the Ombudsman’s prosecution team against Bautista and Cuña.
The court’s Seventh Division ruled to admit the exhibits offered by the prosecution panel, despite objections from the defendants. The court stated that the materiality and probative value of each exhibit will be evaluated in the ultimate disposition of the case.
The initial presentation of Bautista and Cuña’s counter-evidence is set for March 20.
The case, filed by the Ombudsman in March last year, revolves around the payment of P32.108 million to Geodata Solutions Inc. for an online occupational permitting and tracking system project.
The Ombudsman alleges that Bautista entered into a contract with Geodata and approved the release of payment without a specific budget appropriation ordinance enacted by the city council.
Cuña is accused of signing documents to make it appear that the release of funds was lawful and under his direct supervision. The Ombudsman also claims that full payment was made to Geodata without complete delivery of the project.
Additionally, Bautista and Cuña are facing a separate graft case before the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division. This case involves the payment of P25.342 million to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works at the city hall’s civic center building.
The Ombudsman alleges that Bautista approved the release of full payment to Cygnet despite the company’s failure to secure a net metering system, which was a prerequisite for the project. The payment was released based on an undated certificate of acceptance issued by Cuña.
Bautista and Cuña have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court will evaluate the evidence and decide in due course.
Source: PhilNews24 | February 19, 2024
