Echiverri supporters continue vigil for embattled mayor

Supporters of embattled Caloocan City Mayor Enrico "Recom" Echiverri adopted a festive mood for their vigil Tuesday night as they continued to "protect" their idol against a suspension order from the Office of the Ombudsman. The supporters set up a videoke machine and served food while keeping watch over City Hall to make sure Echiverri is not removed, radio dzBB's Allan Gatus reported Wednesday. Many of the supporters sang songs like "My Way" while maintaining their vigil while others availed of free "lugaw" and bottled water, the report added. Supporters of Echiverri started gathering near City Hall since Monday night after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered Echiverri suspended for allegedly failing to remit over P37 million in city employees’ contributions to the Government Service and Insurance System.

But Echiverri questioned the order before the Court of Appeals, claiming that he merely inherited the debt from predecessor Reynaldo Malonzo. He also claimed the remittances collected during his term were all remitted to GSIS. Also ordered suspended were City Treasurer Evelina Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia and City accountant Edna Centeno. Don't pass the blame Meanwhile, Malonzo told Echeverri not to heap the blame on him for his predicament. "Bakit nagtuturo siya ng iba, ang tagal niyang nakaupo (Why is he blaming others? He has been in office for so long)?" Malonzo said in an interview on dzBB radio. Malonzo particularly disputed Echiverri's claims he merely inherited the debt to the GSIS from him, when he assumed the mayoralty post in 2004. He said that while it was true the Ombudsman cited "debts" from 1997 to December 2002 - when Malonzo was in office - Malonzo said his administration settled the debt. "Very clear naman dito sa pinalabas ng Ombudsman, ang nakalagay 1997 to December 2002. Ako yun, mayor pa ako ... pero 2003 to 2004 walang problema, naayos namin ang problema (The Ombudsman's records showed a problem from 1997 to 2002. Yes, that was when I was in office. But it also showed no problem from 2003 to 2004. That shows my administration settled the problem by then)," he said. "Nagmano-mano kami sa GSIS na nagbayad (We manually figured out the numbers and paid the GSIS)," he added. — RSJ, GMA News