By Alvin Murcia and Gladys Mae Ablon

Supreme Court Administrator Midas Marquez has the full backing of no less than former Chief Justice Reynato Puno to fill in the slot left vacant today by retiring Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. The former chief magistrate believes Marquez is “qualified to the highest degree” for the position.

He made known his endorsement of the current Court Administrator as the next Associate Justice in a letter to President Duterte dated 30 July 2018 where he said that his former chief of staff has the “moral fiber” and superior intellectual ability to be a magistrate.

“I have known Midas to be with a strong moral fiber. His integrity is beyond reproach. His intellectual ability is superior. His loyalty is unwavering,” Puno said.

Marquez, appointed Court Administrator in 2010, is among those on the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shortlisted for the post to replace Associate Justice Presbitero Velasco Jr. who retires today, 8 August.

Marquez passed the bar in 1994 and has been with the Supreme Court for more than 25 years.

Prior to serving with Puno in 2003 as one of a number of senior lawyers, Marquez worked as clerk under several Supreme Court Justices, including Abraham F. Sarmiento, Ameurfina Melencio Herrera and Josue Bellosillo.

The SC administrator also has the backing of the Philippine Judges Association (PJA) which believes that the longest-serving High Court administrator has the experience required of one appropriate for the position.

Aside from Puno, Marquez also has the backing of the wife of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, Ma. Cristina Corona, who also sent a letter of recommendation to President Duterte.

Mrs. Corona said the man has proven his competence in managing the requirements of the court en banc, the judges, lawyers, litigants, court employees and those covering the judiciary.

Marquez also has a degree in economics and a juris doctoral degree at the Ateneo de Manila University.

It does not matter that a certain Rizza Joy Laurea tried to block Marquez’s bid for appointment, linking him to alleged questionable fund disbursements while serving the High Court.