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Caloocan City Mayor Echiverri, 3 others, preventively suspended for 6 months
18 July 2011, source: Ombudsman Website

ACTING OMBUDSMAN Orlando Casimiro placed Caloocan Mayor Enrico R. Echiverri and three others under a six-month preventive suspension for the alleged non-remittance of more  than P38M representing Caloocan City employees’ contributions to the GSIS.

          Aside from Echiverrri, also ordered placed under preventive suspension were City Treasurer Evelina M. Garma, City Budget Officer Jesusa Garcia, and City Accountant Edna Centeno.

The preventive suspension stemmed from the complaint filed by Caloocan Vice-Mayor Edgar R. Erice who alleged that from July 1997 to December 2002 and from January 2007 until 31 December 2010, the premium contributions comprising the personal shares of the employees and Caloocan government shares were not remitted to the GSIS and remained unpaid as of 31 December 2010. Additionally, the employees’ compensation shares from July 1997 to December 2004 and from January 2007 to December 2010 were not remitted to the GSIS. These allegations were confirmed by Robert G. Vergara, President and General Manager of the GSIS.
          GSIS records show that the total obligation of Caloocan City as of 31 December 2010 amounted to PHP 343,814,739.85 representing principal and interest for the unpaid compulsory premiums.
          Allegations were also raised that despite being informed of the unpaid GSIS obligations, Echiverri, together with Garma and Garcia, refused to take action on the matter.  Due to this inaction, Erice made a formal demand to Echiverri, Garma and Centeno for the remittance of the personal shares of the employees amounting to PhP 38,042,916.12, the same already deducted from the salaries of the employees of Caloocan City.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro stated that considering that Echiverri, Garma, Garcia and Centeno are all high ranking officials of the local government of Caloocan, their continued presence or stay in the office will be prejudicial in the conduct of the investigation. “The continued discharge of their functions of the respondents may likely influence potential witnesses or tamper with records which may be vital in the prosecution of the case against them’, he said.
          Acting Ombudsman Casimiro directed DILG Sec. Jessie Robredo to immediately implement the order.

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