By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Variety News Staff

ANY elected official convicted of a sex crime while in public office may be recalled under a bill that seeks to amend Guam’s government service law.
While the current statute prohibits sex convicts from running for public office, it doesn’t contain a recall provision to remove an elected official who is taken to court while serving his or her term in office.
Bill 86, introduced by Sen. Adolpho Palacios Sr., D-Ordot/ Chalan Pago, provides for the immediate suspension of the convicted public official pending the recall process.
Although the convicted official may opt to appeal the conviction, he or she would still be “barred from exercising the power and authority” of the office. The official in question would be placed on administrative pay pending appeal.
The bill states that failure to obtain reversal of conviction would automatically result in the official’s removal from office.
The position would be declared vacant and filled “according to law.”