(NMI GOP) — The Republican Party of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands issued the following statement relative to the Senate hearing on the articles of impeachment:
“Based on the sworn testimony of the first witness, Mr. Epi Cabrera, who has served the Torres administration since 2015, provided sworn testimony that he was assigned to serve on the committee whose charge was to review the travel regulations on or around 2017.
“He states that there were several complaints by government officials concerning travel per diem and car rental. Premium travel was not of any concern by the committee or the Attorney General.
“He further states that the Attorney General himself has received a copy of the travel regulations, met with Mr. Cabrera, and provided input on changes to be made.
“Mr. Cabrera testified that the travel regulations committee recommended that both the Governor and Lt. Governor should travel premium class especially over long distances because of the need for rest before the meetings.
“Mr. Cabrera stated that the AG himself reviewed the proposed travel regs and did not advise to change the premium class travel language.
“Attorney Tony Aguon stated that there was consensus by the travel committee and the Attorney General had no concerns relative to the Governor traveling premium class.
“The bottomline is that Attorney General Ed Manibusan knew of the travel regulations, the issues at hand, and had expressed no concerns verbally or in writing about the Governor or Lt. Governor traveling premium class.”
Second witness
As for the sworn testimony of the second witness, former Chief Investigator Lawrence Pangelinan, who served as an investigator for the Office of the Attorney General under the direct supervision of Attorney General Ed Manibusan on or around 2017, the NMI Republican Party said the following facts are established:
“The Attorney General directed that only Governor Torres shall be investigated.
“The Attorney General himself flew premium class. A travel authorization and a boarding pass for business class travel was entered as evidence.
“The bottomline is that Attorney General Ed Manibusan traveled First Class after the law was passed. More so, former Attorney General Joey San Nicolas also traveled First Class.
“According to Attorney Tony Aguon the truth is that both Attorney General Manibusan and Lt. Governor Palacios traveled premium class yet it was Governor Torres who was targeted for prosecution.”
CUC chief confirms: No theft, no special treatment, no cover up, no double-billing and no abuse of power
“Based on the sworn testimony of the CUC chief Gary Camacho there was no theft. Theft is when you receive services and you do not pay for such services or when there is a clear attempt to avoid any record of consumption. In the case of Governor Torres, there was no divert away from a meter nor evidence of meter tampering on or around his property.
“According to CUC chief Gary Camacho, Governor Torres legitimately received a utility benefit at Koblerville and then at As Teo. There is no double billing. Further, it was clarified through questioning by the President of the Senate that the document furnished by the JGO showing a double-billing was not an official document of the CUC.
“The Senate Hearing revealed that former Gov. Juan N. Babauta had two accounts yet the former governor was not prosecuted. It should be noted that JGO Chair Celina Babauta was former Governor Babauta’s Executive Assistant when he had two accounts being paid concurrently. Governor Torres never had utility benefits for two accounts at the same time. Governor Torres’ attorney proved that Governor Torres received utility benefits for one residence at a time. It was further established that the JGO’s allegations of theft was not initiated by the Office of the Attorney General.
“CUC chief states emphatically that everything was paid but at an erroneously billed. The consumed volume of water was identified, billed and paid at the correct rate.
“The bottomline is that Governor Torres was wrongfully accused by the JGO. Governor Torres did not commit theft of utility services. Governor Torres did not receive utility benefits for two residences at the same time.
“Today’s testimony and the supporting evidence reveals that the JGO led by Rep. Celina Babauta misled the public.
“Attorney Tony Aguon stated that the payment of utilities for governors and lieutenant governors is allowable by law. Governor Torres never had any intent to defraud the government. Rather, Governor Torres himself initiated a corrective action by calling CUC to assess the water usage and billing. Thereafter the correct amount was charged to the correct account and payments made to those accounts.”
Governor Torres’ travel served a public benefit; former senior adviser testifies that millions came as a result of that trip
“Based on the sworn testimony of former Senior Policy Adviser Glenna Sakisat Palacios, Governor Torres’ trips to Oregon and Alaska served a public benefit.
“Ms. Palacios testified that the trip enabled Governor Torres to meet with Western Regional Director of the Office of Defense local community cooperation as well as with representatives of new and growing space industry, as well as with CNMI constituents abroad. The space industry is a national security priority with a positive outlook for economic growth.
“Governor Torres meeting with space industry officials was with the intent of developing a small-scale spaceport facility in the CNMI that supports the emerging commercial small satellite/launch vehicle market for equatorial orbits. It is a booming industry. Spaceports are becoming an important economic driver in the U.S. as it creates job and education opportunities in the aerospace sector.
“She stated that the recorded meetings, as evidenced in an official Trip Report and further supported by photos, proved beneficial in exploring new industries with the hope of bringing new and higher paying jobs to the CNMI. More so, Ms. Palacios informed the Senate that the meeting between Western Regional Director of the Office of Defense local community cooperation and Governor Torres yielded approximately $3M to the CNMI.
“It should be noted that Governor Torres also met with U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski who was the Chair of the Senate Committee with jurisdiction over the CNMI. The unique privilege to interact with the only sitting U.S. senator to have visited the CNMI is an investment that must absolutely be made. Senator Murkowski is the CNMI’s biggest supporter and defender in the U.S. Senate.
“The bottomline is that the JGO misled the public by withholding information about Governor Torres‘ trip to Oregon and Alaska and how it served a public benefit.
“Attorney Anthony H. Aguon closed by stating that Governor Torres did not travel for personal recreation, personal benefit or for political purposes and that, in fact, the trip served a public benefit in more than one instance.”
No law was broken in Deer Meat for Dinner social media ad campaign
“Based on the sworn testimony of Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Priscilla M. Iakopo, the Deer Meat for Dinner promotion delivered a return on investment that exceeded all expectations. She stated that the promotion served a public purpose. Integrating Mr. Robert Harrington who is a world recognized online influencer would benefit the Commonwealth and is consistent with the authority’s strategy of maintaining a strong online presence.
“The MVA managing director stated that inbound flights were suspended as a result of Covid so MVA decided to invest in and maintain a strong online presence. The MVA Board of Directors approved the Deer Meat for Dinner budget of $59,000. Total actual expenses did not exceed $50,000.
“Deer Meet for Dinner produced 20 videos. Total views for the videos exceeded 35M views. Exposure value is approximately $35 per view. Given this, the reported ad exposure value is in excess of one billion dollars. MVA Managing Director Iakopo compared how successful this promotional program was in comparison to other sponsored activities.
“Attorney Anthony H. Aguon summarized by stating that no laws were broken for the Deer Meat for Dinner promotional videos. He states that no specific law was cited in the impeachment article and that the promotional videos served a valid public purpose. Promoting the CNMI is a legitimate promotional segment.
“The bottom line is that no laws were broken in pursuing a social media promotional strategy using the Deer Meat for Dinner video series. Ironically, the CNMI Legislature approved and presented social media influencer Mr. Robert Arrington with a legislative resolution for the work he did to promote Saipan, Rota, Tinian and the Northern Islands.
“On one hand, to award a social media influencer for promoting the CNMI and then on the other hand turning around and impeaching a governor for the same promotional video series is hypocrisy and betrayal of public trust at its worst. It is clear that the Democrats and allied Independents have put their political power grab agenda before the people and common sense. Their legal argument fails on its face again.”
Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse Administrator Epi Cabrera is sworn in before testifying in the Senate impeachment hearing Friday, May 13, in the Senate chamber.
Also testifying was Lawrence Pangelinan, former chief investigator of the AG’s office,
Supporters of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres gather at a canopy outside the legislative building on Capital Hill, Friday, May 13, as the Senate holds the first day of its impeachment hearing.
