Lazatin, Loraine Bernadeth R. Sat.

8:00-11:00 AM

Interview with ATTY. ENRICO RECOM ECHIVERRI

He was the only local chief executive who dared to dream big for Caloocan City. Armed with a vision and a battle cry for comprehensive, honest-to-goodness reform, Mayor Enrico Recom Echiverri has efficiently jumpstarted Caloocans local government machinery through sheer ingenuity and political will, and successfully turned around a debt-ridden, graft-filled city towards becoming a tourist and investment destination, barely a year after assuming office. His brand of governance with a heart and a conscience has revitalized the city that used to wallow in neglect and ignominy. As a former Congressman, I was successfully raised the level of development in his district through various infrastructures with minimal funding. Thus, I held the distinction of being the first solon in the political history of Caloocan City to be re-elected to a second term of office. I was appointed Deputy Majority Leader and received the Hall of Fame Award as Most Outstanding Congressman from various civic groups, along with many other commendations as an excellent legislator and public servant. His gift in local administration was first honed and discovered when he became City Councilor and was awarded Most Outstanding City Councilor in 1992. Prior to this, he was appointed Director of the Videogram Regulatory Board. I had begun his career in law as Legal Manager, In-House Counsel and Senior Associate of various firms, and was a Law Professor in four major universities. His active involvement in public service and civic duty was manifested by his leadership in various organizations, among which is the League of Cities in the Philippines, where he is Vice President for the NCR Chapter, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, Caloocan-Malabon Chapter, where he was President for two years. He is also a member of the Philippine Trial Lawyers Association, the Philippine Association of Voluntary Arbitrators, the Philippine Councilors League, among a host of other organizations. Echiverri graduated with honors from the San Beda College with a degree in AB Economics, and completed his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Ateneo de Manila University, where he received a First Honors Card. He is married to Purificacion Echiverri of Nueva Ecija and Batangas, with whom he has five children.