Department of Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario Jr. yesterday told a Senate committee that the administration’s “dispute” with the new owner of Rota Resort & Country Club will soon be settled.
“The [settlement of the] Rota Resort issue is nearing completion and should be ready for signature within a week’s time,” Del Rosario told members of the Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs.
Early last month, citing the lack of permits, DPL ordered the new resort owner to immediately cease all business operations and vacate the premises.
Lawmakers then wrote a letter to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, urging him to “stop playing politics with the CNMI future.”
They said the administration’s move would chase away investors.
Yesterday, Del Rosario said the new Rota Resort owner had already presented the needed documents.
“The new owner has done his due diligence. He’s presented all requisite documents including those we needed to review from the bankruptcy court in Tokyo,” Del Rosario said.
Del Rosario said the “transfer of assignment of lease” is expected to be signed next week.
Senate Floor Leader Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian and chairman of the committee, said they were relieved to hear DPL’s words of assurance.
The new owner and chief executive officer of the Rota Resort, Hee Kyun Cho, earlier said that he wanted to retain the hotel’s 120 personnel including the local employees.
Cho signed a contract with Mode Tour and Freedom Air to guarantee air seats for Rota Resort.
The hotel also signed a contract with Kinki Nippon Tour company for the 40 Japan-Rota charter flights that started in April.
