Philippines ex-minister charged with graft

MANILA, Philippines, April 16 (UPI) -- A Philippines official Wednesday endorsed filing charges against a former justice secretary and his wife in a $2 million extortion case, lawmakers said.

Omudsman Merceditas Gutierrez said corruption charges filed by former Manila Rep. Mark Jimenez against Hernando Perez, his wife and two others should proceed to an anti-graft court, The Philippine Daily Inquirer said.

Jimenez filed a motion to dismiss the charges "unconditionally," but Gutierrez denied the request, citing Philippines law, which states "no motion to dismiss shall be allowed except for lack of jurisdiction."

Gutierrez said Perez exploited his position within the Justice Department to extort $2 million in an embezzlement case against former President Joseph Estrada last year.