MANILA, Philippines - A businessman filed Monday charges of qualified theft and estafa against Quezon City Vice-Mayor Herbert Bautista and his brother, Hero, for allegedly seizing his tarpaulin printing machine without his consent.

In a four-page complaint filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor's Office, businessman Carlos de Leon accused Hero Bautista of confiscating the P1.2 million printing machine at the Chan Advertising Office in Proj. 8, Quezon City last August. Bautista is an investor of Chan Advertising.

De Leon said Bautista did not cite a reason for confiscating the machine, adding that it was allegedly done on the orders of the vice-mayor.

He said he had asked the Bautistas to return the machine to no avail.

De Leon's lawyer, Oliver Yuan, said his client is contemplating the possible filing of administrative charges against the vice-mayor before the Ombudsman.

De Leon denied that the filing of the case is linked to the upcoming May elections. Bautista is running for mayor of Quezon City. With a report from Jeffrey Hernaez, radio dzMM