By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

CANDIDATES for public offices, either in appointive or elective positions, must disclose their records if they are convicted of any crime — a new requirement under the amended Public Official Disclosure Act, which became law last week following the Legislature’s override of the governor’s veto.
Sen. Jesse Lujan, R-Tamuning, author of Bill 61, said the new law adds felony conviction to the list of personal information that public officials and candidates for public office are required to file with the Guam Elections Commission.
Before the passage of Bill 61, candidates for public offices were required only to disclose their personal finances and mental condition.
“Why shouldn’t we know whether a candidate or official has a history of committing serious crime? This law will not disqualify felons from public office, but gives us the information we need to make an informed decision on our leaders’ qualifications,” Lujan said.
The bill was passed by the Legislature in August, but was vetoed by Gov. Felix P. Camacho, saying that disclosure of convictions must be determined by courts.
The governor warned that Lujan’s bill might violate a court ruling in which a case may have been sealed for some reason.
But Lujan maintained that the public has the right to know whether their leaders have a criminal past.