Sandiganbayan clears ex-Caloocan mayor Echiverri, 4 others of graft raps

The Sandiganbayan on Tuesday acquitted former Caloocan city mayor Recom Echiverri and four others of graft and falsification charges due to the prosecution's failure to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Echiverri and his co-accused — Russel Ramirez, Edna Centeno, Evelina Garma and Jesusa Garcia — were all cleared of graft charges involving the purchase of P30 million life insurance of barangay officials and watchmen.

The former mayor was also found not guilty in two counts of falsification of public documents charges under SB-CRM-465 to 466 alongside Ramirez, Centeno and Garma.

Centeno and Garma were also acquitted in another two counts of falsification of public documents charges.

All of the accused were physically present during the promulgation except for Echiverri who attended the promulgation virtually since he is currently confined at the Makati Medical Center due to a kidney disease.

The anti-graft court allowed Echiverri's virtual presence since the prosecution did not object to such a set-up for humanitarian consideration.

Echiverri's defense counsels also presented a medical certificate, medical abstract and a doctor's order denying Echiverri's temporary discharge to attend the promulgation since he might experience blood clot.

All of the accused present hugged each other in tears after learning of their acquittal.—LDF, GMA Integrated News