It’s Recom Echiverri in Caloocan City

By Nancy C. Carvajal
Inquirer
First Posted 08:26am (Mla time) 05/23/2007

MANILA, Philippines – Exactly a week after the May 14 elections, the Board of Canvassers yesterday finally proclaimed the winners in Caloocan City.

Based on the final tally of the Commission on Elections, incumbent Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri defeated Rep. Luis “Baby” Asistio in the mayoral race by more than 25,000 votes.

Echiverri garnered 115,346 votes over Asistio’s 89,863 votes.

After his proclamation, Echiverri, who is on his second term, thanked the members of the BOC—composed of Juliet Villar, Dr. Elizabeth Manalo and City Prosecutor Ramon Rodrigo—“for enduring the grueling task of counting the votes.”

Echiverri’s running mate, Vice Mayor Luis Tito Varela, was also reelected, receiving 143,634 votes.

Oscar Malapitan, a former congressman, reclaimed his old post in the first district. He got 91,124 votes, defeating his closest rival for the post, Echiverri’s son, Ricojudge, who is the chair of Caloocan’s barangay leaders.

On the other hand, the proclamation of the winner in the race for congressman of the second district was deferred until the board resolves questions regarding the statement of votes.

Based on the Comelec’s tally, Councilor Mitch Cajayon is leading against Rep. Egay Erice, corporate lawyer Nilo Divina and Albert “Bebong” Muñoz, actress Jolina Magdangal’s boyfriend.

Last Sunday, two days before his proclamation by the BOC, streamers went up in many areas in the city with announcements about Echiverri’s victory. At the same time, he also thanked his constituents for giving him another term.

Echiverri yesterday assured residents in Caloocan City that he would continue implementing the reform programs he had started.

“Makakaasa po kayo na mas lalo ko pang pag-iibayuhin ang aking pagsisilbi at pipilitin ko rin na sa susunod na tatlong taon ay mabigyan nang maayos na trabaho at makabuluhang proyekto ang lahat ng mga taga-Caloocan (I assure you that I will exert more efforts to serve you and to ensure that in the next three years, I will be able to give decent jobs and meaningful projects to everyone in Caloocan),” he said in a statement.

He also called on other winning candidates to work with his administration for the speedier development of the city. With Francis Mangosing

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