THE PHILIPPINES has thrown its support behind the United States nominee to the top World Bank post even as it emphasized its call for “democratizing” the selection process for the agency’s chief. “We would like to assure you of our support for Dartmouth College President Dr. Jim Yong Kim for the World Bank presidency,” Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima told US Ambassador Harry K. Thomas, Jr. in a letter.

“Mr. Kim, a development expert, has the track record to lead the agency at this time when global growth and development have become tough tasks for governments around the world,” he added.

The World Bank, one of two multilateral organizations created by the Brettonwoods Agreement after the Great Depression, is set to select its new leader as Robert Zoellick, its current president, steps down by June 30. Aside from Kim, Former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo and Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala are also vying for the post traditionally held by an American.

“While we congratulate and welcome the decision of Former Colombian Finance Minister Jose Antonio Ocampo and Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, a colleague in the G24, to contest the position and further enhance the selection process, the United States government can be assured of the Philippines’ support for the candidacy of Mr. Kim,” Purisima said.

The Finance chief pointed to Kim’s track record of working with the World Health Organization (WHO) as a “new focus” for the World Bank, “one that connects financial and economic stability to a direct and sustainable prosperity not only to nations, but more importantly to people. Korean-born Kim is a former director of WHO’s Department of HIV/AIDS who led initiatives to treat 3 million people infected by the virus in the developing countries from 2003 to 2007.

He is also a co-founder and board member of Boston-based Partners in Health which aims to provide universal access to primary health care to poor nations, especially on HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.

“As we move toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, Mr. Kim’s expertise in anthropology and development will surely be an asset to the World Bank,” Purisima said, referring to the set of goals agreed by the United Nations.

Still though, Purisima pushed for a transparent and democratic selection process as already “affirmed” by Kim’s effort to campaign for the post in various nations.

“We look forward to engaging Mr. Kim on the global issues of poverty and development, and we are eager to work with him in further democratizing and improving the transparency of processes within the Bank,” he said.