...the World Bank guy anew

Marcelo gets World Bank offer

By LEONARD D. POSTRADO

June 5, 2011

Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines -- The World Bank (WB) has offered former Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo a fresh three-year term as adviser on good governance, citing his stance and dedication against corruption in the Philippine government.
 
 

WB President Robert Zoellick, through Managing Director Sri Mulyani, urged Marcelo to accept a second three-year term as adviser on good governance and anti-corruption during the final session of the mid-year meeting of the WB-Independent Advisory Board (IAB) held in Washington, D.C. last June 3.
 
Aside from Marcelo, Zoellick also invited former Australian Treasurer and Asia-Pacific and Economic Cooperation Chair Peter Costello and leading anti-corruption and governance expert and Basle University professor Chester Mark Pieth.
 
Established in September, 2008, the IAB provides advice to the WB Group on a range of governance and anti-corruption measures, fulfilling a recommendation made by the Independent Review of the World Bank’s Integrity Vice-Presidency, led by former US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker.

The IAB aims to protect the independence and strengthen the accountability of the WB’s Department of Institutional Integrity (INT), a critical part of the Bank’s Governance and Anti-Corruption (GAC) strategy – by giving advice on policies and procedures and on the Department’s interactions within the WB Group.
It also provides advice to WB President Zoellick and the WB Group Audit Committee on the Performance of INT and the implementation of related recommendations of the Volcker panel.

According to Zoellick, the members of the IAB are mandated to give advice on policies and procedures relating to INT in the carrying out of its mandated functions and its interactions within the World Bank Group, including investigative policy matters and issues arising from the collaboration across units.

The IAB also gives the WB President and the Audit Committee advice on the performance of INT.

It would also advise and submit reports annually to the President and the Audit Committee on progress in implementation of agreed World Bank Group actions on key recommendations of the Volcker panel report relating to INT, said Zoellick.

Marcelo has maintained his advocacy against corruption after leaving public office and returning to the private sector as the chief litigator of CVCLAW, also known as “The Firm.”

Recently, he led the widespread opposition to the controversial plea bargain deal involving retired Major General Carlos Garcia and participated in congressional inquiries on the matter.