Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, said it’s more cost-effective for the cash-strapped government to lease than buy a fleet of cars for lawmakers.
Under a lease agreement, the government won’t have to pay insurance and maintenance expenses.
“We will not accomplish anything if we just stay in our office. We have to visit (our constituents),” said Quitugua.
Taxpayers pay $895 a month for his leased 2005 Honda Element.
Quitugua said he uses the car to do errands for the benefit of his constituents.
“People call you to see what’s happening first hand. I was able to do a lot with this car to follow-up on community projects,” he said.
He said he gets calls from constituents even at night regarding water leaks, an epileptic in need of help, among other concerns.
Rep. Ray Tebuteb, R-Saipan, whose office is renting a 2008 Honda CRV for $800 a month, refused to comment.
He said he spends about $400 a month for his gasoline.
Quitugua said he cannot say how much his office spends for gas. “It varies,” he added.
The monthly gas expenses of each lawmaker range from less than $500 to over $1,000.
Rep. Frank Dela Cruz, Covenant-Saipan, agrees with Quitugua.
He said the government doesn’t have a vehicle maintenance shop and has to bid out this type of service to private auto-shops.
He said if the government buys the cars, it will be difficult to maintain them and they will be eventually auctioned at very low prices.
Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, who is among the few lawmakers who don’t lease cars using public funds, said “each member must make their own judgment.”
Rep. Victor B. Hocog, Ind.-Rota, declined to comment.
Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, who bought a car and is also leasing one, could not be immediately reached for comment but Variety was told he wanted to defend his action.
The cash-strapped CNMI government spends over $10,000 a month or $240,000 in two years just to lease the cars for 16 legislators — 12 in the House and four in the Senate.
