Only nine of the 11 House leadership members attended the meeting held in Speaker Eli Cabrera’s conference room, and of the nine senators, Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, was absent.
The lawmakers voted by secret ballot, and the result was 10 in favor of Mendiola and 6 for current LB Director Glenna SP. Reyes.
Because everybody agreed that only Cabrera, R-Saipan, and Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, could announce the result, none of the leadership members wanted to make a comment.
Variety tried but failed to get a comment from Manglona and Cabrera.
The other senators who attended the meeting were Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian; Sens. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian; Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian; Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota; Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota; Luis P. Crisostimo, Ind.-Saipan; and Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan.
Aside from the speaker, the other House leadership members who joined the meeting were Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan; House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan; Reps. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan; Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan; Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; and Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan.
One of them submitted a blank ballot.
Reps. Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan and Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, were absent.
Despite the result, Mrs. Reyes does not have to step down right away because her contract must be terminated by both chambers, Variety was told.
Variety was not able to get a comment from her.
Her contract expires today.
In an interview, Rep. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, said it does not matter to him anymore who will be the LB director.
Tenorio was the speaker when he wanted to Reyes replaced.
“Now it would have been okay with me if the leadership retained her,” he said.
