9 new graft charges filed vs ex-Caloocan city mayor

Nine new graft charges have been filed against former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri in the Sandiganbayan, bringing the total number of his pending cases to 44.

The new charges filed on April 6 involved the alleged misuse of P37.72 million for various infrastructure projects without prior authorization or a specific appropriation from the city council.

The projects in question included two streetlight installation projects awarded to Lex-Mar General Merchandiser and Contractor and P.B. Grey Construction, and two drainage projects by Golden 3T Construction Corp. and Fel-Gene Construction.

Also charged with graft were city accountant Edna Centeno and city budget officer Jesusa Garcia.

The filing of the new charges brought to P235.65 million the total amount of funds Echiverri was accused of misusing.