MANILA, Philippines — Amid controversy surrounding the release of its report, the World Bank (WB) officially confirmed Tuesday that there were some “ineligible expenditures” in the $21.9-million Supreme Court (SC) Judicial Reform Support Project (JRSP) loan.

In a statement posted in its website, WB acknowledged the existence of an Aide Memoire that summarized the findings and recommendations of the bank, pointing out implementation issues that included some ineligible expenditures.

“The Aide Memoire is a project monitoring and management tool that captures the World Bank’s implementation review findings and recommendations. Through the Aide Memoire, the bank informs the appropriate country authorities and works with them to address implementation issues,” the bank said.

“Given the deliberative nature of information, the Aide Memoire is usually not disclosed to the public,” it added.

The Aide Memoire was addressed to Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Associate Justice and Chair of the JRSP Management Committee. It was written/signed December 28, 2011 by Matthew Stephens, acting country director, Philippines, East Asia, and the Pacific Region.

On Monday, media organizations received an email purportedly from the World Bank with email address worldbankreport@gmail.com about the alleged unsatisfactory program of the JRSP.

Malacañang was firm on the authenticity of the WB report on the alleged misuse of a loan extended to the SC despite having no direct verification from the bank itself.

Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda told reporters there was “no need” to validate the authenticity of the report with the WB, admitting that the Bank had clarified it did not release the report to media. He also said WB neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of the report.

Between October 24 and November 12 last year, the World Bank conducted an implementation support mission for the JRSP and discussed the preliminary findings as well as recommendations with the implementing agency.

On December 28, 2011, the bank submitted the Aide Memoire to the High Court and gave copies to the oversight agencies, the Department of Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, and Department of Budget and Management.

“The project is scheduled to close on June 30, 2012 and the focus for the remaining period is to bring the project to a closure,” the World Bank said, urging the JRSP Management Committee to “please address the issues in the Aide Memoire so that the project activities can be smoothly completed.”

Despite the controversy, the World Bank said that it supports the Philippine government in implementing its financed projects and achieving project development objectives.

“The Bank has rigorous processes for monitoring the management and use of project funds for intended purposes with due regard to economy and efficiency. This monitoring includes routine implementation review missions to help the government assess the progress of implementation, review achievements against project development objectives, identify implementation issues, and agree on next steps,” the bank said.

The $21.9-million loan to the high court aims to support the government’s action program for Judicial Reform was approved by the bank on October 2, 2003.

The project was intended to assist the Philippine government in developing a more effective and accessible Judiciary that would foster public trust and confidence, through the implementation of reforms under four components. These components are improving case adjudication and access to justice; enhancing institutional integrity; strengthening institutional capacity; and supporting the reforms of the judicial system and the Project Management Office.

Lacierda likewise found “interesting” that neither Chief Justice Renato Corona nor SC Spokesman Midas Marquez have disputed the authenticity of the report. He disclosed that Corona was among the recipients of the unflattering WB report.

“What the Chief Justice has egregiously misrepresented is that the report didn’t cover his period in office; while his spokesman dodged the issue by calling it ‘unfair.’ The truth is the report specifically covers the period of Mr. Corona being Chief Justice,” he said.

Lacierda said the latest WB report showed the pressing need for reforms in the judiciary as previously stated by President Aquino. He noted that Corona has lost his moral ascendancy to achieve such reforms.

“The ongoing impeachment of the Chief Justice is thus a vital step in the process of reforming the judiciary, so that it can finally deliver true justice, speedily and impartially, to our people,” he said.

Lacierda also said they support the planned congressional inquiry into the alleged irregular SC loan project from the World Bank to shed light into the controversy. He said the public deserves to know the truth behind this alleged anomaly.

Despite the controversy, the Bank said that it supports the Philippine government in implementing its financed projects and achieving project development objectives.