MANILA, Philippines — An official Commission on Audit (CoA) report reveals that government was “penalized” an average of P2.5 million annually in connection with the implementation of the World Bank-assisted Judicial Reform Support Project by the Supreme Court.

However, the CoA report indicated that the huge “commitment” fees were imposed by the World Bank even before the time of embattled Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Corona, who is the object of an impeachment trial to be launched today by the Senate, has been getting the blame for problems in the implementation of the project, with the WB allegedly complaining about the “sudden and significant increase’ in the disbursement made by the JRSP project management office formed by the High Tribunal.

Lawyer Ramon Esguerra, spokesman for Corona’s legal team, described the reports as part of black propaganda aimed at tilting public opinion against the chief justice.

The 2010 annual audit report for the High Court showed that the total commitment fees paid for irregularities that caused the delay in the implementation of the $21.9 million JRSP reached a high P15,860,265.76, with P1,079,393.31 imposed by the WB during the Corona administration starting 2010.

In 2004 to 2009, the total commitment fees paid the WB reached P14,780,872.

The project was scheduled for completion on or before December 31, 2009 but was extended until June 30, 2011, the CoA said.

“Reallocation of loan proceeds and amendments to the agreement was made to provide an increase in percentage of expenditures to be financed from the loan,” it said.

CoA revealed that the commitment fees imposed on government were the result of the “slow/low availment/utilization” rate of the loan for the JRSP since it was started in 2004.

To avoid payment of penalties, the High Court was asked to fast-tract the implementation of the project.