Former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri has been slapped with two graft charges before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P4.71-million contracts for the improvement of drainage systems for the city back in 2011.
Graft Investigation and Prosecution Officer III Leilani Tagulao-Marquez said Echiverri conspired with former city budget officer Jesusa Garcia and city accountant Edna Centeno on May 19, 2011.
They were accused of acting with manifest partiality to E.V. & E. Construction (EVEC) proprietor Eugenio Leopoldo Garcia in the contract for the improvement of Molave Street Drainage System at Pleasant View Subdivision, Kaybiga, Brgy. 165 in Caloocan City.
The city government awarded P2,751,372.83 to EVEC even without prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Caloocan City.
Then on May 26, 2011, Echiverri, Garcia and Centeno were once again accused of awarding P1.962,405.85 to Golden 3T Construction (Golden) proprietor Surlita R. To for the improvement of Saplungan Street Drainage System in Brgy. 179, Amparo Subdivision, Caloocan City without prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panglungsod of the city.
Meanwhile, Centeno and Garcia are also facing two charges for falsification of public documents for “making false statements in a narration of facts, the truth of which they are legally bound to disclose, by certifying in the Allotment and Obligation Slips” on the existence of appropriation for the allotment for the improvement of the drainage systems even though there was no appropriation for the said projects. (Czarina Nicole O. Ong)