The complaint was filed by Lupe Blas Repeki, a clerk at the department’s fiscal affairs section.
Variety was unable to get a comment from Ogumoro.
Repeki said the DPS official failed to follow CNMI government employment equal opportunity policy, particularly the competitive selection process.
Connie Lyn Manglona Iglecias, a daughter of Police Officer Katherine Manglona, who is Ogumoro’s common-law wife, has been occupying the position of Driver License Technician I at the department’s Bureau of Motor Vehicle, according to Repeki’s grievance complaint.
After completing the selection and interview process, Repeki, a DPS employee for over six years, said DPS Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela congratulated her in his Aug. 5, 2010 letter for being “selected for the position.”
“Based on the information you provided on the employment application and your response during the interview, it supported your qualification for the [vacant] position [of Driver’s License Technician I],” Tudela told Repeki.
Tudela further told Repeki that DPS would prepare a request for personnel action with the Office of Personnel Management.
The vacant position was federally funded by the Driver’s License Security Grant Program administered by the CNMI Office of Homeland Security.
On May 3, 2010, the CNMI Office of Personnel Management published a job vacancy announcement for the position of driver’s license technician with a closing date of May 17, 2010.
Repeki said she received a letter on June 9, 2010 from OPM Director Isidro K. Seman who told her she was qualified for the position, and was “among the top candidates” to be interviewed by DPS.
Iglecias was temporarily hired for the position.
On May 19, 2010, Tudela relieved Ogumoro of his post as DPS deputy commissioner.
Tudela also informed Iglecias that her provisional hiring employment with DPS had been terminated.
On July 6, 2010, however, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reinstated Ogumoro as DPS deputy commissioner.
After months of waiting for her appointment as driver’s license technician, Repeki learned that the position was still occupied by Connie Lyn Manglona Iglecias.
Repeki said she confronted CNMI’s Special Assistant for Homeland Security Patrick P. Tenorio who told her that the position “had already been filled and that [Tenorio’s] office will be releasing the entire grant award to be implemented by Deputy Commissioner Ambrosio T. Ogumoro.”
Repeki said she was told by Tenorio to “let it go and apply for another driver’s license technician I position since the grant allotted was for two positions and not one.”
Repeki said she learned that on the day Fitial reinstated Ogumoro as DPS deputy commissioner, Iglecias returned to her work at BMV.
Repeki further learned that Iglecias’ provisional hiring had been extended for another 90 days by OPM.
“Ogumoro in his current capacity as [DPS] acting commissioner…had issued an order to initiate the processing of a request for personnel action for…Iglecias to make her status as an employee of [BMV] permanent,” Repeki’s complaint stated.
“Unable to resolve this issue by form of logical reasoning, Repeki is left with no other option but to file this grievance,” the complaint added.
Repeki is being represented by Sgt. James C. Deleon Guerrero.
“For the benefit of all of DPS and its employees, Repeki also believes that DPS should institute immediate corrective action to force compliance by Ogumoro and Tudela with the CNMI Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations and other binding federal and commonwealth laws,” the complaint said.
Repeki is also asking for protection from Ogumoro’s retaliation.
Sgt. James C. Deleon Guerrero earlier filed a complaint against Ogumoro for non-compliance with the CNMI Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations.
Deleon Guerrero also accused Ogumoro of harassment, abuse of authority and creating a hostile work environment.
//
