Jamaine Punzalan

Then Senate candidate Herbert Bautista joins the UniTeam miting de avance on Aseana Avenue in Parañaque on May 8, 2022. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File

Article (news)

ELECTION-CAMPAIGN

Kaxandra Salonga

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/176550291868020220507-election-marcos-miting-FSJ-6196.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Then Senate candidate Herbert Bautista joins the UniTeam miting de avance on Aseana Avenue in Parañaque on May 8, 2022. Fernando G. Sepe Jr., ABS-CBN News/File</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division on Friday acquitted former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista of graft over his alleged involvement in the payment of P25 million to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works at a city-owned building in 2019.</p><p>In a decision penned by Associate Justice Ronald Moreno, Bautista was found not guilty for “failure of prosecution to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt.”</p><p>The hold departure order that was issued against the actor-turned-politician for the case was lifted.</p><p>Bautista, who was present during the promulgation, was in tears after the acquittal. He declined to address reporters.</p><div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1783392909028606%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Meanwhile, Bautista’s alleged cohort, ex-administrator Aldrin Cuña, was found guilty of graft and sentenced to 6 to 8 years of imprisonment.</p><p>No civic liability was imposed upon Cuña, who is perpetually disqualified from holding public office and will not be entitled to retirement benefits.</p><p>The court granted Cuña provisional liberty and ordered the P90,000 cash bond doubled, as prayed by the prosecution. Cuña was given five days to comply with the bond.</p><p>Bautista and Cuña were<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/1/20/sandiganbayan-convicts-herbert-bautista-for-graft-1553"> earlier found guilty of graft</a> in relation to an anomalous P32-million process automation system for the QC hall. </p><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br style="caret-color:rgb(0, 0, 0);color:rgb(0, 0, 0)"/></div>

<p>The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista of graft over his alleged involvement in the payment of P25 million to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works at a city-owned building in 2019.</p>

The Sandiganbayan has acquitted former Quezon City mayor Herbert Bautista of graft over his alleged involvement in the payment of P25 million to Cygnet Energy Power Asia Inc. for the installation of a solar power system and waterproofing works at a city-owned building in 2019.

Sandigan acquits Herbert Bautista of graft over P25-million solar power project

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Sandigan acquits Herbert Bautista of graft over P25-million solar power project

Kaxandra Salonga,

ABS-CBN News

Published December 12, 2025 09:29 AM PHT

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Updated December 12, 2025 09:54 AM PHT

Read More:

Sandiganbayan

Herbert Bautista

graft

solar power project

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