Ex-QC mayor Bistek gets 10 years for graft

Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista and his former city administrator have been sentenced to six to 10 years in prison for graft by the Sandiganbayan for an anomalous procurement of a computer system for work permits in 2019.

- By NEIL JAYSON SERVALLOS

In a 148-page decision released yesterday, the anti-graft court found Bautista and former city administrator Aldrin Cuña guilty of graft over the P32-million payment to information technology firm Geodata Solutions Inc. for an Online Occupational Permitting Tracking System meant to expedite applications for permit to work in Quezon City.

Prosecutors said the local government paid for the system even before its delivery and despite the absence of a city ordinance authorizing the project, indicating undue favor for Geodata.