The Sandiganbayan Third Division acquitted former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista on December 12 in a graft case involving the ₱25 million payment to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for a solar power system and waterproofing works in a city-owned building in 2019.
Ponente Associate Justice Ronald Moreno ruled Bautista “not guilty due to failure of prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”
The court also lifted the hold departure order previously issued against him. Bautista attended the promulgation and was reportedly moved to tears following the announcement.
Meanwhile, Bautista’s alleged accomplice, former administrator Aldrin Cuña, was sentenced to six to eight years in prison after being found guilty of graft.
Cuña faces disqualification from holding any government position and is barred from receiving retirement benefits, though no civic liability was imposed.
Cuña was granted provisional liberty and ordered to double his ₱90,000 cash bond, with five days to respond.
Both Bautista and Cuña were previously implicated in a separate graft case related to a ₱32 million process automation system for Quezon City Hall.