But Gabriel DLC. Evangelista declined to comment and referred this reporter to Edwards Shai, whom he said is now the acting Finance resident director.
Tinian Mayor Ramon M. Dela Cruz had already left the office, Variety was told, when this reporter called shortly before 4 p.m. yesterday.
Department of Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson, in a telephone interview, said she had yet to receive a resignation letter or any notification from Evangelista so her office could not confirm it.
But Shai said he has been the acting Finance resident director of Tinian since Monday.
He said “a little misunderstanding” with the mayor over the closure of a scooter rental shop at Taga Beach triggered Evangelista’s resignation.
He said the Tinian department’s revenue officer, Martin Sakisat, ordered the closure of Keo Song Marine World two weeks ago.
The owners, Shai said, complained to Dela Cruz who immediately asked for an explanation from Evangelista.
Instead of explaining himself to the mayor, Shai said Evangelista decided to resign.
But a resident privy to the issue said Evangelista resigned the day after the mayor’s brother, former Sen. Jose Dela Cruz, asked him over the phone to resign.
The resident, who requested anonymity, said the car and scooter company did not have the proper license and there had been a lot of complaints from the island’s duly licensed car rental companies about it.
Variety was unable to get a comment from Keo Song Marine World.
Evangelista ordered Keo Song Marine World to shut down for 10 days pending an investigation.
Evangelista, according to the resident, has fixed a lot of problems he inherited from the previous director when he assumed office upon the inauguration of Dela Cruz last year.
Shai, in a telephone interview, said as acting Finance resident director, he has to get access to the banks and to the central government in order to perform Evangelista’s duties.
The department’s services on Tinian, he added, has slowed down due to this transition.
