Former Malacañang official Mike Defensor derided Quezon City vice mayor Herbert Bautista, saying “he has done nothing for the city.”

Defensor said so at a recent press conference announcing his bid to run for Mayor of Quezon City with Aiko Melendez as her running mate for vice mayor.

“[Now] if you could find a single project he (Bautista) did, I will withdraw my candidacy,'' Defensor went on.

He accused Bautista of spending P300 million for food and drinks for non-existent events. He also questioned the actor-turned-politico about what he alleged as “ghost projects.”

“I spoke about why I decided to run. I mentioned in the process of making my decision that I was shocked with the 300-million-peso budget of vice mayor Herbert Bautista -- all of those are ghost projects."

Defensor then presented documents to substantiate his claim.

"The documents show ghost projects worth P50-100 million funded from the P300 million budget of the vice mayor's office."

“I asked the CoA (Commission on Audit) when they allow emergency purchase. They said ‘only in calamities.’ You know what, every month, there are emergency purchases amounting [to] P50-100 million.” said Defensor, pointing out that being a resident of Quezon City, he doesn’t know of any calamity that would justify the release of such an amount during the time it was released.

One of the documents Defensor presented showed P733, 000 worth of food and drinks bought for Tahanan, a Quezon City Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center, which was signed by Bautista.

As a result of Defensor’s assertions, Bautista's continued membership of the Liberal Party has been questioned. A source within LP said that Bautista would be given the opportunity to explain and defend himself against the corruption charges.

Netizens’ reactions to Defensor’s claims against Bautista were varied however.

“I don’t think Bistek is capable of that,” wrote one.

“Talk about the lowest of low! He should be ashamed of himself! Agh. I hate Philippine politics and dirty politicians like him,” wrote another.

“Why the heck did LP get him anyway? Noynoy should kick him out of the party if these allegations are proven true,” opined another.

“Hey, not so quick on judging the guy! Tignan nyo muna sino at anong klase ang pagkatao ng nambibintang. Come on...” retorted one.

“You guys are a bunch of ignorant fools that just believe anything you hear from the media; however, what you smart people fail to realize is that the same guy making the allegations, wanted to get rid Jun Lozada. Isn't he the same LIAR and puppet ng Arroyo clan?”

According to Defensor, he was “forced” to run after his father, Representative Mat Defensor, was left out in the cold by the Liberal Party.

Defensor said he is running under the People’s Reform Party of his aunt, Senator Miriam Santiago, and Pwersa ng Masa of deposed President Joseph Estrada.