MPLT, he said, manages public land funds and has to invest the money to benefit the CNMI.
“They can hold clear title of the land and that is an asset,” said Torres, R-Saipan.
Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa, CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights spokesman and adviser, claimed that there was a “conflict of interest” in the $700,000 transaction.
Torres said the Attorney General’s Office should look into this allegation.
Another indigenous group, Taotao Tano is asking MPLT Chairman Alvaro Santos to rescind the “questionable and flawed conflict of interest land purchase deal.”
Taotao Tano president Greg Cruz said they may take MPLT to court.
According to Cruz, MPLT’s legal counsel is “directly related” to Vicente and Martina Camacho, owners of the land.
Moreover, Variety was told, a legislator who has a brother — not a sister as earlier reported — on the MPLT board is a frequent visitor of the Camachos.
Rep. Victor B. Hocog, whose brother, former Rep. Vianney B. Hocog, is one of the MPLT trustees, said he might know the lot owner “but I don’t associate with him.”
He said he did not ask his brother to approve the purchase of the Camacho property.
“People here are too superstitious,” he said. “Filipinos and Chamorros adopted this from the Spaniards, this crab mentality. This is what we have today. People are never satisfied.”
The legislator said he is not responsible for his brother’s actions as an MPLT board member.
“If he is not doing his fiduciary responsibility, then he will go to jail,” the lawmaker said.
Torres said the property bought by MPLT will be owned by people of Northern Marianas descent.
The 4,000 sq. m. property is near the residence of Torres on Capital Hill.
Torres said the price — $68 per sq. m — sounds reasonable because the area is considered to be in a prime location, is accessible through the main road and has power, water and sewer facilities.
