THE Office of the Attorney General on Tuesday submitted to the Superior Court the first amended list of witnesses in the criminal case filed against Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
On April 8, 2022, the AG’s office charged the governor with 12 counts of misconduct in public office and one count of theft relating to the issuance of airline tickets for business class, first class, or other premium class travel for himself and/or first lady Diann T. Torres.
The case also alleges one count of contempt for the governor’s failure to appear in compliance with a subpoena issued by the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations.
The governor has denied the charges.
The first amended list of witnesses includes Gov.-elect Arnold I. Palacios, former NMI Democratic Party gubernatorial candidate Rep. Tina Sablan, first lady Diann Torres, Sen. Victor B. Hocog, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao and Sen.-elect Celina Babauta, the chair of the House JGO committee.
Also on the witness list are Bernadita C. Palacios, Chari Ramos, Frances Dela Cruz, Joey Cruz, Frances T. Salas, Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig, former Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson, Asuncion “Connie” S. Agulto, Police Officers Jomalyn Gelacio and Flora Aguon, Ikluk T. Masayos, Urbano D. Babauta, United Airlines’ David Baker, Barbara “Bobbie” T. Cabrera, Lina Dela Cruz, Lawrence Pangelinan, Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente, Office of Grants Management and State Clearinghouse Administrator Epiphanio Cabrera Jr., Special Assistant for Military Affairs Glenna Sakisat Palacios, former Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Commissioner Claudio Norita, Special Assistant for Women’s Affairs Shirley P. Camacho-Ogumoro, Imelda Mendiola, Guadalupe M.C. Santos, former Public Auditor Michael Pai and “any other person named in discovery who may become relevant to the trial.”
The amended list, which was prepared by Chief Solicitor/Assistant AG J. Robert Glass Jr., also stated, “The Commonwealth expressly reserves the right to amend this witness list to add any and all persons not presently known who possess relevant knowledge but whose identity and knowledge becomes known before or during trial.”
