“I don’t have any relationship with him. But I am capable of setting aside personal differences with him, especially if it concerns the public’s interest,” Reyes, R-Saipan, told the Variety.
“The interest of the public is something that I can work with him. And I am especially concerned about the budget,” he added.
Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, ordered late last month LB Director Glenna S.P. Reyes to vacate her post because her original contract supposedly expired on Jan. 11.
But Mrs. Reyes defied the speaker’s order arguing that her contract is valid until Sept. 30, 2010 after it was renewed by then-Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, R-Saipan, and then-Senate Legislative Secretary Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan.
Mrs. Reyes is the Senate floor leader’s wife.
The speaker is questioning the legality of the renewal as well as her original contract, citing a constitutional provision that requires the leaderships of both houses to concur, which should include the signatures of the presiding officers, the floor leaders and the chairmen of the standing committees.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, has refused to acknowledge Tenorio’s new LB director appointee, former Rep. Daniel O. Quitugua.
The Senate must concur first with the speaker’s decision before Tenorio’s vacate order can take effect.
