Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes brought up his concern during Wednesday’s session.
Fitial on Monday transmitted to the Senate certifications of annual salaries in excess of $50,000 for Assistant AGs Gilbert J. Birnbrich, Eileen E. Wisor, Shelli L. Neal, Peter B. Prestley, Meredith Callan, Tiberius Mocanu and Assistant Public Defenders Matt Meyer and Richard Miller.
Birnbrich will receive $70,000; Wisor, $59,000; Neal $69,000; Prestley, $60,000; Callan, $52,000; Mocanu, $52,000; Meyer and Miller $60,000 each.
The governor also certified a $130,000 annual salary for Department of Public Health physician Lingie Chiu
Reyes asked the Senate Fiscal Affairs Committee to look into the governor’s certifications which he described as “practically giving all of them the opportunity to raise salaries” even though the government is cutting its budget.
Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, wonders how the five-member Civil Service Commission could have been advised for the over-the-cap salaries when it does not even have a quorum to decide on anything. The Senate has yet to confirm a new commissioner, he added.
Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota and chairwoman of the committee, said Reyes’ request to look into the certifications is very legitimate.
She said she may come up with a report in the next session.
