MANILA - The Sandiganbayan 3rd Division denied the motion for reconsideration of former Caloocan City Mayor Recom Echiverri on the issuance of an arrest warrant against him and the return of the bail bond he posted in connection with his graft case.

• READ: Ex-Caloocan mayor Echiverri ordered arrested, posts bail

In a ruling penned by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice and 3rd Division Chair Amparo Cabotaje-Tang, the court maintained its finding of probable cause on the undue advantage given by Echiverri to a private contractor for the P1.9 million repair of a drainage system in Caloocan City.

The court only noted the motion for judicial determination of probable cause which Echiverri also filed. "It is settled that the filing of a motion for judicial determination of probable cause is a mere superfluity, if not a deliberate attempt to cut short the process by asking the court to weigh in on the evidence without a full-blown trial," the court said.

Echiverri's case stemmed from the awarding of the drainage improvement contract to Golden 3T Construction for the improvement of the drainage system along Saplungan Street, allegedly without the prior approval of the city council.

Also charged with falsification of documents were Echiverri's city accountant Edna Centeno and city budget officer Jesusa Garcia whose similar motions for reconsideration were also denied by the court.

The court also noted that the defense of Echiverri that there was prior approval from the city council will be addressed during the trial.

"Indeed the validity and merits of a party's defense or accusation, as well as admissibility of testimonies and evidence are better ventilated during trial proper," the court said.