GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres, through his attorneys Viola Alepuyo and Anthony Aguon, has filed a notice of non-objection to the appointment of Guam Superior Court Judge Alberto E. Tolentino as judge pro tempore in the criminal case filed by the CNMI Office of the Attorney General against the governor.
On Wednesday, the governor’s attorneys told the court that their client had no objection to the appointment of Judge Tolentino and was ready to proceed with the arraignment set for April 25, 2022, at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 223.
CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro appointed Tolentino as judge pro tempore after the local trial court judges recused themselves from the case.
The criminal case filed by the AG’s office alleges 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 the governor and/or first lady Diann T. Torres.
The case also alleges one count of contempt for the governor’s failure to appear before a House committee in compliance with its subpoena.
These allegations are included in the articles of impeachment passed by the House of Representatives on Jan. 12, 2022 by a vote of 15 to 4 with 1 abstention, on allegations of felonies of theft, corruption and neglect of duty. The governor has denied the charges.
The Senate has set a hearing for Tuesday, April 19, at 10 a.m. in the Senate chamber, on the governor’s motion to dismiss the articles of impeachment.
