THE Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday filed two counts of graft raps against former Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri before the Sandiganbayan in connection with the alleged anomalous P4.7-million drainage project in 2011.
Named co-respondents were former city accountant Edna Centeno and former city budget officer Jesusa Garcia for two counts of graft and two counts of falsification of public documents.
The Ombudsman recommended a P30,000 bail for each count of graft or a total of P60,000 bail for each of the respondents.
For falsification filed against Centeno and Garcia, a P12,000 bail recommended for each count, or a total of P24,000.
The Ombudsman said Echiverri, Centeno and Garcia gave “unwarranted benefits and advantage” when they awarded a P2.7-million contract to E.V. & E. Construction for the improvement of the Molave Street drainage system from May to December 2011.
During the same period, the accused also awarded a P1.9-million contract to Golden 3T Construction for the improvement of the Saplungan Street drainage system.
Echiverri, then the city mayor, approved the project implementation without the consent and knowledge of the city councilors.
On the other hand, Centeno and Garcia “feloniously” made false statements in the allotment and obligation slips as to the existence of appropriation and obligation of allotment for both projects.
Both knew there was no budget appropriation for the two drainage system projects, the Ombudsman said.