Echiverri's supporters conduct overnight vigil

The supporters of Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri conducted a peaceful overnight vigil in front of the city Hall to show their support for their mayor who was suspended for six months by the Ombudsman. According to a report of Mark Zambrano on GMA's Unang Balita on Tuesday, Echiverri's supporters believe the mayor is innocent in the case filed against him by Vice Mayor Egay Erice. Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro placed Echiverri and three other officials under a six-month preventive suspension for allegedly failing to remit over P37 million in city employees’ contributions to the Government Service and Insurance System (GSIS). Those ordered suspended along with Echiverri were City Treasurer Evelina Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia and City accountant Edna Centeno. Toti Obrinario Sain, a city hall employee, said, "may ipinakikita po na remittances ang ating punong lungsod para po sa mga pagbabayad na ito, nakikita namin ang katapatan niya at wala siyang nilalabag na batas bagamat kung titignan natin ang kaniyang mga proyekto sa bawat lugar dito sa Caloocan malaki ang improvement kaya kami suporta lang kami kay Mayor Recom." The suspension against Echiverri and the other officials stems from a controversy over GSIS premium contributions that reportedly remained unpaid as of December 31, 2010. - Haydee Enriquez, VVP, GMA News