Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, who chairs the committee, told Fitial in two separate letters to “postpone” his nomination for a new a judge and “rescind” his appointment of a new MVA board member.
This irked Fitial, according to sources, who quoted the governor as saying, “Why are they telling me what to do?”
Last week, the governor appointed Manases M. Manglona to represent Rota on the MVA board of directors.
But Cruz told Fitial that former Sen. Edward U. Maratita is still on the board to represent Rota.
Cruz said it “appears” premature to appoint a person at this time.
“I suggest that your office rescind your letter appointing Manglona until such time that there is an actual vacancy on the MVA board,” he told the governor.
Variety learned that Maratita already signed a notice of personnel action — which is now on the governor’s desk — after Rota Mayor Melchor A. Mendiola appointed him as the Rota Health Center director.
Sources said MVA rules prohibit a government employee from serving on the board.
But in an interview yesterday, Cruz, R-Tinian said Maratita is in acting capacity only as RHC director and therefore he is not officially employed by the government.
Also, Cruz said any appointment to RHC requires the confirmation of the Rota Municipal Council. So far, Cruz said, Maratita has never been confirmed.
Cruz said if Maratita resigns from the MVA board then there is a need for the governor to appoint a new member. But Maratita has not resigned from the board yet, Cruz added.
In another letter, the Tinian senator asked Fitial to “postpone submitting a nomination for the position [of a new justice] until the next fiscal year.”
He told the governor that “due mainly to current economy of the CNMI, the [committee] believes it is beneficial to realize savings by keeping the position vacant.”
Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan’s resignation takes effect today.
Senators earlier asked the governor not to fill the vacancy on the trial court. But the governor has already nominated attorney Joseph N. Camacho to be the new judge.
Cruz said postponing judicial appointments will allow the CNMI government to realize much needed savings.
