Caloocan City is fast becoming an Echiverri Kingdom, with an Echiverri dynasty in the offing.

Its current mayor, Enrico “Recom” Echiverri, has a predilection for posting his face and name in every nook and cranny of the city (to be fair, most politicians share the same narcissism, Lito Atienza and Bayani Fernando to name a few). But he is not content with that.

When his son, Ricojudge Janvier “RJ” Echiverri won as national president of the Liga ng mga Barangay (a joyous occasion, indeed), a lot of streamers and tarpaulins appeared on city roads, including EDSA congratulating him. One extravagant example is hanging on the ENTIRE MMDA foot bridge at EDSA, in front of the Manila Central University. The tarpaulin is attributed to the City Assessor’s Office. I hope no public funds were used for that? Even so, it was an awful waste of money.

And then there are the barangay cabs carrying Recom’s and RJ’s name. RJ’s name is written as “Con. RJ Echiverri.” Note the Con. He is supposed to be head of the local Liga, and as such he sits in the City Council, making him a councilor, abbreviated as Coun. But why Con. in the cabs? It is not a typo – all of the cabs carry those. Your guess is as good as mine.

And now, there’s more.

Another son, Juan Crisostomo “Juris”, recently passed the bar exams. Immediately after that, tarpaulins congratulating him mushroomed along the city streets.

Note that RJ ran for congressman of 1st district in 2007 elections, but lost to Oscar Malapitan. Is it safe to say that Juris will run in 2010?

Echiverri should be wary of establishing a dynasty. His predecessor, Rey Malonzo, attempted to do that in 2004 – he, his common-law wife, and son ran, and all of them lost. It could happen to him and his family.

(Image from the Caloocan City Web site.)