SENATOR Ricardo S. Atalig yesterday said his detractors in the minority bloc wanted “to get back” at the members of the leadership who did not join them in their failed coup attempt.
“They are doing this out of retaliation. If they were honest in their intention to correct the supposed financial mismanagement in the Senate, then they could have done this before the coup attempt. But why only now? And why are they doing it only to us? Why not everybody?” Atalig, R-Rota, said.
Variety earlier reported allegations about Atalig and Sen. Thomas P. Villagomez’s “ghost” employees. It was alleged that Senate Vice President Jose M. Dela Cruz’s daughter, who is a full time student at the University of Guam, is employed by Atalig as community worker on Saipan.
Villagomez, R-Saipan, is allegedly employing Atalig’s wife as legislative assistant but she is actually on Rota taking care of family business.
Atalig questioned why Sens. Ramon S. Guerrero, American Reform-Saipan, and Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, would have to come out in the media with their accusations when the matter had already been referred to the Office of the Public Auditor.
He likewise questioned Reyes and Guerrero’s integrity.
“Are they really clean and straight people? They are capable of seeing dirt on other people’s faces but I think that they themselves should look at the mirror,” Atalig said.
Atalig said Guerrero “can’t boast of his cleanliness.”
He said based on the 1995 OPA report, Guerrero as executive director of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. mismanaged its funds.
OPA stated that Guerrero had liquidations amounting to $39,227 “that were not authorized, presented twice, erroneously computed or supported by questionable documents.”
Guerrero while at CUC was responsible for another $30,020 of questionable representation expenses and $63,627 in purchases that were supported by required documents, Atalig said.
He added: “Instead of getting themselves into this game of mudslinging, they should prioritize the welfare of their constituents. They should stop this nonsense business and get into the real business of helping our people.”
