(Eagle News) — Supreme Court administrator Jose Midas Marquez is facing a graft and corruption complaint over his alleged misuse of $21.9 million worth of World Bank loans received by the High Court in 2003.
Rizza Joy Laurea filed the case for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and Section 7(a) of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees against Marquez before the Ombudsman on Monday, July 2.
The case filed against the High Court administrator, who is in the shortlist of nominees to the post of Associate Justice, stems from the P8.6 million in funds of the $21.9 million intended for the High Court’s Judicial Reform Support Project which the World Bank declared as “ineligible.”
The World Bank had asked the High Court to return those funds as their use was not approved in the procurement plan.
In a letter dated June 25, Marquez denied he had anything to do “directly” with the World Bank funds and projects.
He said he was “neither the disbursing officer of any of these projects despite his numerous positions and responsibilities during the period referred to.”