Herbert Bautista Faces Prison Time & Lifetime Ban Over Controversial P32-M IT Deal

Sandiganbayan Sentences Herbert Bautista to 6-10 Years in Prison

HERBERT BAUTISTA – The Sandiganbayan has sentenced former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista to six to ten years in prison following his conviction on graft charges.



Former Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and his ex-city administrator Aldrin Cuña have been found guilty by the Sandiganbayan on graft charges. Both have been sentenced to six to ten years in prison for their involvement in a controversial procurement deal in 2019.

The case revolved around the purchase of an Online Occupational Permitting Tracking System (OOPTS) worth ₱32 million, with the court discovering irregularities in the procurement process that led to their conviction. The Sandiganbayan’s ruling, detailed in a 32-page decision, outlined the evidence and legal grounds for their guilty verdict.

Herbert Bautista 2
Photo Source: Philippine Star

In addition to their prison sentences, Bautista and Cuña have been permanently disqualified from holding any public office, severely impacting their political futures. However, no monetary fines were imposed since the private entity involved had already received full payment for the transaction.

This conviction highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to maintain accountability and transparency within public service. It also serves as a cautionary message to other public officials about the severe consequences of corruption.

 

In an unrelated development, actress Ruffa Gutierrez, who has been previously linked to Bautista, responded to a social media post about him and Annabelle Rama. Ruffa shared a tweet from Jun Lalin, where Annabelle made light-hearted remarks about Herbert, leading to a viral response. In her post, Ruffa emphasized that “height simply does not matter,” which intrigued many netizens, especially in light of rumors surrounding her relationship with Bautista.

While Bautista faces legal and personal challenges, public attention remains split between his political downfall and the ongoing speculation about his personal life. As the case unfolds, many are closely watching the impact of the Sandiganbayan’s decision on public accountability in the Philippines.