By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
FORMER Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Leo Borja Tudela has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the agency of forcing him out because of his age, and he is demanding a jury trial. The District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands has issued a summons ordering CPA to respond. Tudela is represented by attorney Michael W. Dotts.
Tudela, 82, alleges that former CPA Board Chairman Ramon A. Tebuteb pressured him to resign despite strong performance and repeatedly made comments about his age. Tebuteb no longer leads the board; Bartley “Bart” Jackson was elected chairman in January 2026.
CPA has yet to file a response.
According to the complaint, age concerns surfaced even before Tudela was hired in November 2023, when a selection committee member allegedly said he was “too old.” After he assumed the role, the complaint states that age-related comments continued, including an instance in which Tebuteb allegedly told another board member that Tudela was “too old.”
The lawsuit centers on an Oct. 25, 2024, meeting in which Tebuteb allegedly confronted Tudela, asked him how old he was, and then demanded that he submit a 30-day resignation notice or face termination. “Tebuteb pointed his finger at Tudela and took a very aggressive posture,” the complaint states.
Tudela argues he was performing well, citing repairs to airport facilities, addressing major leaks, rerouting air-conditioning systems to save an estimated $40,000 annually, and improving generator maintenance. CPA revenue reportedly increased by 48% between November 2023 and October 2024 under his leadership.
Despite this, Tudela alleges he was pressured to resign “under duress” and made to feel “too old to work.” He claims Tebuteb had a younger replacement in mind — nearly 40 years his junior — who later declined the job, and that CPA ultimately hired someone about 20 years younger.
Legal claims
Tudela brings two causes of action:
Age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act
Constructive discharge in violation of public policy and equal protection laws
He states he filed a timely charge with the EEOC and received a Right to Sue letter on Dec. 31, 2025. The complaint includes a formal demand for a jury trial, and the federal court has issued a summons requiring CPA to respond.
Tudela seeks back pay, front pay, compensatory damages, liquidated or punitive damages, attorney’s fees, and injunctive relief, including anti-discrimination training for CPA leadership.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
