He wants to see “any and all documents, Office of the Public Auditor’s report, receipts, invoices, or credit card statement pertaining to edible or other panties purchase, or bar expenses paid by Mayor of Tinian Ramon M. Dela Cruz.”
Atalig alleged that the panties were bought when Dela Cruz was a board member of MPLC using indigenous/public funds and/or government credit card.
Atalig wants to see the documents within 10 days.
“I want to know where those panties are and who are using them,” he told Variety.
He said as a citizen he has the right to know the expenses of government officials.
The Fitial administration, he added, should not “fine-tune” the Open Government Act, which he described as a “blessing” to the people of the CNMI.
“This law allows the people to examine how their money is being spent by their officials. We can’t alter the intent of the Open Government Act,” he said.
Distractions
But Dela Cruz, in a separate interview, said the Open Government Act requests directed at him are “already distracting my concentration.”
To comply, he said his office will be utilizing personnel who have other and more pressing duties.
Nevertheless, he said, he will comply with the law and provide all the requested public documents and records.
“I have nothing to hide,” he added.
He believes that the Open Government Act request of Atalig is politically motivated. Dela Cruz did not elaborate.
On Tuesday, the mayor’s former acting chief executive officer Kimberlyn King-Hinds also requested for disclosure of public records of all of the island’s elected officials, including those from the time of Dela Cruz’s predecessor, Jose San Nicolas.
Dela Cruz said the Open Government Act is an effective way of bringing out the truth but it can also be abused by those who want to advance their agenda.
He said he supports the plan of the Fitial administration to amend the law.
The mayor said he met Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos, the acting governor, on Tuesday and was assured he could continue to get the legal services of the Attorney General’s Office regarding the lawsuit filed by Atalig.
Atalig has accused Dela Cruz of failing to provide the public documents and records during the period of time required by the Open Government Act.
The mayor said it’s only fair for him to get the AGO’s services because he has no funds for legal expenses.
He said Atalig is “harassing” him.
But Atalig said he has nothing personal against the mayor.
“As a taxpayer I am obliged to know where my money is being spent,” he added.
