Ex-Caloocan mayor Echiverri refuses to enter plea for graft raps

MANILA, Philippines — Former Caloocan City mayor Enrico Echiverri on Thursday refused to acknowledge the validity of the graft charges against him in connection with alleged anomalous projects during his term in 2011 to 2013.

Appearing before the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division, Echiverri refused to enter plea during his scheduled arraignment for two counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

Echiverri's co-accused, former city accountant Edna Centeno and former city budget officer Jesusa Garcia likewise refused to enter any plea, for their two counts each of graft and another two counts each of falsification of public documents.

The court, in turn, entered a “not guilty plea” on their behalf in accordance with the rules of procedure.

Filed by the Office of the Ombudsman in March of this year, the cases stemmed from the alleged awarding of P1.998-million contract to Caana Construction Corporation for the construction of a barangay hall in Barangay 154 in 2011 and a P4.946 million contract to P.B. Grey Construction for the improvement of the drainage system along Antipolo Street in Barangay 30 in 2012 to 2013.

The ombudsman said both projects, as well as the payments made to the contractors, do not have the required prior authorization of the Sangguniang Panglungsod or city council.

The ombudsman said Centeno and Garcia falsified Allotment and Obligation Slips (ALOBS) to make it appear that the city council allocated a budget for the projects “when both accused very well knew that there was neither a specific appropriation for the said project nor a prior authorization from the Sangguniang Panglungsod.”

Under Section 458 Paragraph 2 (i) of the Local Government Code, the city council has the sole authority to approve the city government’s annual and supplemental budgets as well as to appropriate funds “for specific programs, projects, services and activities of the city.”

Echiverri is facing 26 more graft cases in other divisions of the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous awarding of contracts for various projects, such as drainage improvements, road concreting, construction of multi-purpose halls and installation of lighting systems.

The ombudsman said all the projects were awarded to various firms without any budget allocation and authorization from the city council.

Echiverri had earlier denied the allegations, saying that the projects were above board as can be proven by various resolutions passed by the city council as well as by the city's Bids and Awards Committee.