MANILA, Philippines--Graft charges have been filed against Caloocan Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri in connection with the city government’s purchase of more than 11,000 sacks of rice worth nearly P20 million from a firm which was not an authorized grains dealer.

The case was filed by Reynaldo Malonzo, a former mayor of the city, before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Also included in the complaint were eight other incumbent city officials.

The charges against Echiverri and company were based on the purchase of 11,428 sacks of commercial rice worth P19.98 million from R. Ty Computer Enterprises on March 31.

Attached to the complaint were documents showing that the rice was distributed among the poor.

Malonzo claimed that Echiverri and the other city officials who had approved the purchase “maliciously, intentionally, and with full knowledge and information at the onset, entered into a contract which was manifestly and grossly disadvantageous to the city government of Caloocan.”

He added that the transaction was anomalous because the respondents bought the rice from a computer dealer instead of a licensed grains retailer or the National Food Authority (NFA).

Based on Malonzo’s complaint, R. Ty Computer Enterprises sold the rice at P34.96 per kilo, almost double the NFA’s rate of P18.25 per kilo.

Reached for comment, Echiverri said the transaction was aboveboard and that the commodity was bought for the city government’s regular rice distribution program.

He added that thousands of indigent families in Caloocan had benefited from the program “particularly during the time when the price of rice was not affordable to the ordinary folk.”

Echiverri also pointed out that the city, under his leadership, has been experiencing growth in terms of revenue and infrastructure and that Malonzo “should be the last person to point out any slight mistake.”

Malonzo is expected to run for Caloocan vice mayor next year.