Ombudsman clears Echiverri for suspending pay parking

MANILA, Philippines - Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echiverri was cleared recently of an administrative complaint filed by a businessman two years ago.

Rogelio Tan, representing Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation, accused Echiverri of misconduct and oppression under Republic Act 6713 (the code of conduct covering government employees and officials) for the arrest of three Jadewell parking attendants on July 22, 2004.

Acting Ombudsman Orlando Casimiro, in a decision dated Nov. 20, 2008, ruled that Tan failed to present substantial evidence against Echiverri. The city government received a copy of the decision on Feb. 17.

According to the decision, the three attendants proceeded with the firm’s on-street pay parking system despite an ordinance approved by the city council earlier that month suspending all curbside pay parking in Caloocan, including those managed and operated by Jadewell.

The ordinance stated that a memorandum of agreement between Jadewell and the city government, represented by then mayor Reynaldo Malonzo, violated proper procedure and should be discontinued.

Tan filed a complaint in 2006 after Echiverri allegedly refused to act on Jadewell’s requests. – Jerry Botial