SUPERIOR Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja disclosed at a status conference hearing on Wednesday that the “illegal overtime” complaint filed by the Office of the Attorney General against former Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero and former Department of Public Works Secretary James Ada had been resolved.
“James Ada has submitted a stipulation for a judgement on his case, and we do have judgment on the pleading of Robert Guerrero,” Judge Naraja said.
AG Edward Manibusan filed similar complaints against Department of Land and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente, former Department of Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson, former Department of Labor Secretary Vicky Benavente, former Department of Commerce Secretary Mark Rabauliman, former Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Clyde Norita, and former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Robert Hunter.
The AG’s office filed the lawsuits against each defendant separately, and sued each one of them in their personal capacity only.
A few weeks after filing the complaint, the AG’s office voluntarily dismissed its case against former Labor Secretary Julia Victoria I. Benavente.
For his part, the former DPS commissioner admitted owing the CNMI government $46,982.96, but denied the Office of the AG’s “entitlement to prejudgment interest and any other relief.”
At the hearing on Wednesday, Chief Solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr. informed the court that the AG’s office was still in the process of serving the complaint to Hunter.
“We are looking at an alternative service regarding Hunter,” Glass said.
As for Rabauliman, Glass said, “we are anticipating a resolution soon.”
Judge Naraja scheduled another status conference for Feb. 8 at 9 a.m.
Accountability
Attorney Robert T. Torres made an appearance in court representing Larrisa Larson, Claudio Norita and Anthony Benavente.
After the hearing, Torres told reporters that he was reviewing the case with his clients.
“We’re engaged with the AG’s office; we understand the complaint,” he said. “We obviously believe that the genesis of the complaint did not emanate from…my clients…. The concept, the [OT] proposal, was from the [previous] administration, I guess vetted through various departments, and it went through.”
Torres added, “Each of my clients will respond and attend to this matter. What does that mean? It means we are looking at the complaints, and if the issue…is accountability, then let’s have accountability on both sides of the aisle. My clients will attend to accountability for themselves. We’re not running away, we are not avoiding anything, but let’s also look on the other side of accountability, and let’s ensure transparency, accountability, and responsibility. We’re looking forward to it. We have a status conference on Feb. 8, and we’ll see where we are by or before then.”
Robert T. Torres