SENATE President Jude U. Hofschneider on Tuesday rejected Independent Rota Sen. Teresita A. Santos’ letter declining her appointment to the Senate Special Committee on the Impeachment Hearing.
Santos had written to the Senate president to decline her appointment to the special committee, but did not state why she had decided to do so.
In a letter to the senator dated Tuesday, March 15, Hofschneider said: “Your letter does not state a reason or justification for declining your appointment, therefore, I hereby reject your letter declining your appointment to the special committee.”
He noted that Article II, Section 8 of the CNMI Constitution “assigns the Senate with the profound responsibility to act as a court trying an impeached official.”
“It is a daunting duty, but the Senate’s duty nonetheless,” he said.
Hofschneider created the special committee and appointed its members pursuant to his authority under Senate Rule 7, Section 7(b).
“As a member of the Senate, you have an obligation and duty to participate in the impeachment proceedings if appointed to do so,” Hofschneider said in his letter to Santos.
He noted that this is pursuant to Senate Rule 7, Section 2, which states, “[a]ll committees of the Senate shall be subject to the orders of the President and shall faithfully carry out such orders.”
“Your appointment to the special committee is not volunteer or an option but an order, assignment, and undertaking to participate in the Special Committee on the Impeachment Hearing. Declining to accept your appointment without good reason is tantamount to neglect of duty which may be sanctioned pursuant to Senate Rule 16,” he added.
Senate Rule 16 states: “An affirmative vote of not less than five members of the Senate may act on a charge or charges of misconduct, disorderly behavior, or neglect of duty on a member or members of the Senate proscribed under these Rules, Commonwealth or Federal Laws.”
Hofschneider, in his letter, highlighted “neglect of duty on a member or members of the Senate proscribed under these Rules” when referencing this particular Senate Rule.
“Your cooperation and participation in the special committee is necessary to move forward with the impeachment proceedings and I urge you to accept your appointment and duty to serve as a member of the special committee,” he said in closing.
The other members of the special committee are Sen. Karl King-Nabors, chairman; Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua, vice chairman; and Sens. Francisco Q. Cruz and Victor B. Hocog.
Like Hofschneider, all are Republicans.
On Jan. 12, 2022, the Democrat-Independent-led House of Representatives impeached Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on allegations of felonies of theft, corruption and neglect of duty. He has denied the charges. He will be removed from office if at least six of the nine senators vote for his conviction.
Teresita Santos
