Recom Echiverri. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
Former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri was charged before the Sandiganbayan with two counts of graft over the allegedly anomalous drainage improvement projects he awarded in 2011 without the approval of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
The Office of the Special Prosecutor under the Ombudsman filed two counts of graft or violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act against Echiverri, former city accountant Edna Centeno and city budget officer Jesusa Garcia.
According to the first charge sheet, the respondents conspired with each other and acted with manifest partiality, evident bad faith and gross inexcusable negligence in awarding the P2.751-million contract for the improvement of Molave Street drainage system to E.V. & E. Construction.
READ: Echiverri indicted for graft over anomalous drainage project
Prosecutors said the respondents gave undue benefit to the contractor because it was awarded without prior authorization of the Sangguniang Panglungsod “to the damage and prejudice of the government.”
Meanwhile, in the second charge, the respondents caused undue injury to government in the grant of a P1.962 million contract to Golden 3T Construction for the improvement of Saplungan Street. Drainage System without prior authorization of the Sanggunian Panlungsod.
Lastly, Centeno and Garcia were also charged with two counts of falsification of public documents punishable under the Revised Penal Code for “feloniously” making false statements in the narration of facts.
READ: Echiverri indicted again for graft
Prosecutors said they certified in the allotment and obligation slip about the appropriation and obligation of allotment for the drainage projects “when in truth and in fact, as the accused very well knew, there was no appropriation for the said project, to the prejudice of public interest.”
Echiverri is a former Caloocan representative who lost his bid for mayor in last year’s elections to Oscar Malapitan.
READ: Echiverri questions Malapitan poll win
Under Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019, public officials are prohibited from causing any undue injury to any party, including the Government, or giving any private party any unwarranted benefits, advantage, or preference in the discharge of his official administrative or judicial functions through manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or gross inexcusable negligence. CBB
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