Echiverri, Malapitan switch posts

MANILA, Philippines - Outgoing Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri will swap posts with congressman Oscar Malapitan after they won against each other’s sons in Monday’s elections.

Echiverri, who ran for representative of the city’s first district, won against Malapitan’s son Along. Echiverri got 138,378 votes while Along had 125,355.

The elder Malapitan, meanwhile, defeated Councilor Ricojudge Echiverri in the mayoral race by a wide margin.

Malapitan received 246,486 votes as against Echiverri’s 170,025.

The patriarchs of Echiverri and Malapitan political foes said they are open to reconciliation.

“Yes we are willing to extend our hands for a reconciliation and for the good of Caloocan,” Malapitan said after his proclamation Tuesday night.

Echiverri, for his part, likened the elections to a court hearing where lawyers slug it out inside the courtroom.

“But after the hearing, nagyayakapan din yan,(they embrace),” Echiverri said, adding he is willing to work with Malapitan as the city’s new mayor.