Bautista co-accused arraigned in new graft case

MANILA, Philippines — Former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista’s co-accused in a new graft case pleaded not guilty during their arraignment before the Sandiganbayan yesterday.

The charge of violating Section 3 of Republic Act 3019, the anti-graft and corrupt practices law, against former city administrator Aldrin Cuña and Alberto Morales, chairman of Geodata Solutions, stemmed from the allegedly anomalous supply and delivery of a hospital information system worth P16 million to the Rosario Maclang General Hospital.

The fund for the project should have been properly appropriated through a city ordinance, according to the charge sheet.

Bautista, who was present during the proceedings, was granted his request to suspend his arraignment until his motion for reconsideration was resolved. The MR sought to reverse the anti-graft court’s denial of his motion to junk the case against him.

The prosecution was given 10 days to reply to the MR.

Bautista and Cuña are also on trial for graft in connection with a multimillion-peso solar power project in 2019.