On Friday morning, Akbayan called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate Supreme Court Spokesperson and Administrator Atty. Midas Marquez for cases of corruption and abuse office.
In a letter Akbayan Rep. Walden Bello delivered to Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, the group identified two bases for the investigation: acting as unofficial defense counsel of Chief Justice Renato Corona at the public’s expense, and Irregularities in the implementation and management of the Judicial Reform Support Project.
“Hindi lang si Chief Justice Corona ang kailangang managot sa taong bayan,” Bello said. “To restore the integrity to the Supreme Court, it is imperative that we also make Corona’s henchmen accountable for their transgression, una na sa lahat ang kanang kamay ni Corona na si Atty. Midas Marquez.”
According to Bello, Marquez has “squandered the unique opportunity to stand for wisdom, integrity, fairness and the zeal for serving the people,” his actions reflecting the institutional failings of the Court that is being increasingly evident in the impeachment trial against CJ Corona: “entrenchment into a privileged position, and a refusal to be accountable to the public.”
“All the while that the Filipino people were demanding that Corona be made accountable for his blatant disregard of the people’s interest, Marquez took it upon himself to defend the Chief Justice. He was not speaking for the integrity of the High Court, he was very partisan to the interests of Corona,” Bello explained.
“Nakapagpa- court holiday pa nga siya para ipagtanggol si Corona laban sa impeachment, samantalang ayon sa batas, bawal gumamit ng tauhan, opisina at iba pang resources ng gobyerno para depensahan ang isang opisyales na nahaharap sa impeachment.”
Bello emphasized that through these actions, Marquez consumed the Court’s facilities and resources, which included public funds, leading to waste, inefficiency and delay in the administration of justice.
Akbayan also raised the issue on Marquez’s participation in the mismanagement of the Judicial Reform Support Project that the World Bank funded. The report of the World Bank pointed to how Marquez’ designation as Court administrator, head of the Public Information Office and chair of the Bids and Awards Committee led to a “breakdown in internal controls” and ineligible expenditures worth $199,000.00 or PhP8.6 M.
“It is important for Marquez to be made accountable to these allegations, especially as the Filipino people stand to lose PhP8.6M to yet another instance of corruption even as the nation is buried further into debt,” Bello added. “Sa dulo, taong bayan ang lugi sa utang na ito, kaya kailangang panagutin si Marquez sa bawat mamamayang Pilipino.”
For Akbayan, making Marquez accountable through the Ombudsman’s investigations is as important as making the Chief Justice accountable through the impeachment process.
“Already, we have a Chief Justice who, in his lack of integrity, has pledged himself to the service of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo under the guise of public service. And here emerges Marquez in the very likeness of his superiors,” Bello concluded.
“Nananalig ang Akbayan na sa dulo, mananaig rin ang katotohanan at maibabalik ang integridad sa Korte Suprema. This administration has thus proven that the accountability mechanisms of government are restored and fully operational. We have full confidence in the Obudsman to bring Midas Marquez to account.”###
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