Echiverri pulls away in Caloocan; rival concedes

Former Caloocan City Rep. Enrico "Recom" Echiverri (KNP) yesterday continued to pull away from the pack, running ahead by over 20,000 from former colleague Rep. Edgar Erice, on second spot, to lead in the hotly contested mayoralty race, the latest quick count tally from Namfrel showed.

Erice, meanwhile, showing magnanimity in defeat, conceded to the frontrunning Echiverri as early as Wednesday night urging the other candidates trailing in the latter’s wake, Gwendolyn "Gigi" Emnace-Malonzo and former mayor Macario "Boy" Asistio Jr. to respect the decision of the Caloocan electorate.

"Let’s already put a stop to the unfounded accusations, bickering and display of political immaturity. It will not help our people. We have cast our lot knowing fully well that our electoral system is far from perfect. We must learn to accept its fraud, then one must bring it to the proper forum instead of street action where the people may get hurt."

"A single casualty is not worth our electoral grievance," Erice said. He also asked the other losing candidates to instead "contribute to the healing of our wounds and channel our energies to a more positive recourse." Erice also thanked his supporters who really sacrificed in his campaign telling them all is not lost, he can still serve his people even if he is not mayor.

"Also my sincerest thanks to the Liberal Party, Senate President Franklin Drilon, Rep. (Florencio) "Butch" Abad who wholeheartedly supported me. I will have to repay them by continuously serving our party. I will die a Liberal," Erice said.

"Congratulations to mayor-elect Echiverri. I will pray that he will truly reform our beloved city," he said. Echiverri thanked Erice praising him for "waging the fight with dignity." To both Asistio and Malonzo, Erice has this to say: "May you find peace and happiness even beyond politics."

Erice’s term as congressman ends on June 30, 2004. He said he will be spending more time with his wife, Sally and children Anna Mariella "Wew," 17 and Jose Manuel "Joma," 15.

The latest Namfrel tally showed Echiverri leading with 41, 728 followed by Erice at 21,469. Gigi Malonzo got 20,427. Former Malonzo protégé and vice mayor Oscar Malapitan leads his former boss at 23,343 against Malonzo’s 15, 892. The figures represented 44 percent of total election returns to be canvassed.