Ex-Caloocan Mayor Echiverri posts bail for other graft rap

Former Caloocan City Mayor and Rep. Enrico "Recom" Echiverri on Friday posted bail for the other graft charge he is facing at the Sandiganbayan.

According to the Second Division clerk's office and the cashier's office, Echiverri posted P30,000 for one count of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

ATM: Ex-Caloocan Mayor Echiverri at the Sandiganbayan now. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/BIK7KZX2Ce

— Erwin Colcol (@erwincolcol) March 24, 2017

This is in relation to the alleged anomalous drainage projects Echiverri implemented when he was mayor of the city in 2011, in which former city accountant Edna Centeno and city budget officer Jesusa Garcia are his co-accused.

In its charge sheet filed before the Sandiganbayan, the Ombudsman said the respondents gave "unwarranted benefits and advantage" by awarding a P2.7-million contract to E.V. & E. Construction for the improvement of the Molave St. Drainage System.

This, even though there was no prior authorization of the Sangguniang Panglungsod.

On Thursday, Echiverri and his co-accused also posted bail for the graft case they are facing before the Third Division.

In an interview with reporters on Thursday, Echiverri insisted that his case was motivated by politics.

"Pinapalabas ng ating mga kalaban na in-implement ko 'yung project nang walang authority from the council. I was authorized by the city council through an ordinance tapos ang aking ginawang proyekto, it was ratified by the council through an ordinance," he said.

"Additionally, wala namang allegation sa complaint nila na illegal 'yung transaction na ginawa ko because there was public bidding," he added. —KG, GMA News