Introduced by Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, House Resolution 17-32 stated that the government should sue parties involved in spending public funds improperly as determined by the Office of the Public Auditor.
The vote was 14 to 4.
According to the resolution, the “potentially recoverable” money earlier reported to be in $2.6 million in June last year is now approximately $3.7 million because the Attorney General’s Office did not respond to OPA’s recommendation to take action.
Palacios said many of those who misused these missing funds are former executive directors and board members who received excessive per diem when they travel. There were also over payments of professional service contracts, and failure to collect rental fees, non-resident worker application fees and many other misused public funds.
In an interview on Friday, Palacios said portions of the misused funds may not be recovered anymore due to the statute of limitation.
However, he believes the government can still go after the most recent cases.
Those who voted yes to the resolution aside from the author were Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan; Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan; House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan; House Minority Floor Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan; Reps. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; Jose M. Palacios, R-Saipan; Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan; Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan; and Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan.
Those who voted no were Reps. Frank S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan; Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan; Ray. A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan; and Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
Reps. Ray N, Yumul, R-Saipan, and Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian, were absent.
