By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
ACTING Gov. Dennis James Mendiola on Thursday said he has terminated Office of Grants Management & State Clearinghouse Administrator Epiphanio Cabrera.
In a letter to Cabrera, Mendiola said, “In the interest of the Commonwealth, I have decided to terminate your time as the administrator of OGM-SC.”
Mendiola cited 1CMC Subsection 2901(f), which states, “unless otherwise provided by law, any person appointed to any board, agency, commission or position by the governor shall serve at the pleasure of the governor and may be removed by the governor with or without cause.”
Mendiola asked Cabrera to return the keys, key cards, phone, computer equipment, work documents and records, and any other government property to the special assistant for administration.
“Thank you for your time serving my administration. I wish you good luck in your future endeavors,” Mendiola told Cabrera.
Cabrera, whose $100,000 annual salary is federally funded, has served as OGM chief since the Torres administration.
In a Facebook post on Saturday, the acting governor stated: “A $100,000 salary is not a license for endless travel or misrepresentation of OGM.”
“In 2025, as Senate president, I pushed for an oversight. Today, as lieutenant governor, I have come into this office only to discover that some critical reporting requirements are delinquent, placing the CNMI government at serious risk with our federal partners. That is unacceptable,” Mendiola said.
“Some members of the cabinet appear to be taking advantage of Governor Apatang’s kindness. I have seen a flood of travel requests, vehicle purchase requests, and personnel actions; all at a time when our people are struggling to make ends meet. Our people deserve better,” Mendiola said.
Variety was unable to obtain a comment from Cabrera, who was on Tinian Friday. However, Capital Hill sources said he had been calling Gov. David M. Apatang, who was in Washington, D.C., for official meetings, including the 902 consultations.
Immediately after the termination, the acting governor issued a memorandum appointing grants specialist/writer Bruce Camacho as acting OGM-SC administrator until further notice. He also asked all department heads to extend full cooperation to Camacho as he assumes the additional responsibility and continues the work of OGM in support of the administration’s priorities.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
