Caloocan ex-mayor posts bail

Former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri posted bail on Thursday, the same day he was ordered arrested by the antigraft court in connection with a case concerning public works projects he approved in 2011.

The warrant of arrest was issued by the Sandiganbayan’s 3rd Division during a hearing on Echiverri’s motion to have the case dismissed.

On March 8, the Office of the Ombudsman filed graft charges against Echiverri and two other Caloocan officials—city accountant Edna Centeno and budget officer Jesusa Garcia—for allegedly favoring contractors EV&E Construction and Golden 3T Construction.
The two firms were awarded contracts worth about P4.7 million to improve local drainage systems without authorization from the city council.

Echiverri, who immediately posted bail at P15,000, dismissed the case as “politically motivated.”