IN a surprising turn of events, the Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista of graft charges related to a P25 million payment to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for a solar power system installation and waterproofing work at a city-owned building in 2019.
The verdict, penned by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno, cited the prosecution’s failure to establish Bautista’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The decision effectively lifts the hold departure order previously issued against Bautista, allowing the former mayor and actor to travel freely.
While Bautista walked free, his former city administrator, Aldrin Cuña, was found guilty of graft in the same case. Cuña was sentenced to 6 to 8 years in prison and faces perpetual disqualification from holding public office, along with the forfeiture of retirement benefits.
This acquittal comes despite a previous graft conviction for both Bautista and Cuña in connection with an anomalous P32-million process automation system for the Quezon City Hall. The contrasting verdicts raise questions about the consistency of the Sandiganbayan’s rulings and the evidence presented in each case.
