Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan in an email said the Senate is free to adopt resolutions.
The administration, he added, “is confident that the attorney general will be ready to respond accordingly to inquiries that may arise through the resolutions.”
The senators during yesterday’s session described Ada as a “victim,” adding that it was all Buckingham’s fault.
The Senate also did not blame Procurement and Supply Director Herman S. Sablan, one of the signatories of Ada’s contract.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, told reporters he feels that Ada had done nothing out of the ordinary.
The former Commerce secretary relied on the legal opinion of the AG, Reyes said.
If the AG gave the opinion that it was okay to move ahead with the contract, of course Ada would proceed with it, he added.
“I see him as being the victim not as a perpetrator or violator of ethics,” Reyes said, referring to Ada.
If there is anyone who needs to be investigated, it is the AG “because he should have known better,” the senator said.
Sen. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota, agreed.
The contract, which was for the CNMI’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds, would not have gone through without the AG’s green light, so “Ada is a victim.”
The former Commerce secretary, Ayuyu added, did not get the right advice from Buckingham.
Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian said, it was sad that Ada followed the AG’s guidance.
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian and the author of the resolutions, said the issue involves the highest law enforcement officer of the government so it is appropriate for the Senate Committee on Executive Appointment and Government Investigation, which he chairs, to recommend the adoption of the resolutions.
S.R. 17-63 states that “in order to trigger the provision of the CNMI Ethics Code in this matter, the CNMI OPA must issue a report and recommendations.”
According to S.R. 17-62, it appears that Buckingham approved the sole-source contract knowing that Ada had a conflict of interest.
It also appears that Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Sablan approved the contract based on the attorney general’s legal review and approval, the resolution added.
It noted that Buckingham was also investigated for Ethics Code violations when he hosted a political gathering for a congressional candidate prior to the Nov. 2009 election.
According to S.R. 17-62, the Senate “is extremely concerned about allegations or reports of ethical violations by the AG because he is mandated to uphold and enforce the constitution and laws of the commonwealth and the people have lost confidence in his ability to do his job effectively.”
Variety was unable to get a comment from Buckingham, but in an earlier interview he said there was no need to return the money paid to Ada’s Integrated Professional Solutions.
Buckingham said he was standing by his decision to approve the contract which he described as “appropriate.”
Interior’s inspector general said the sole-source contract may have violated CNMI ethics rules and Procurement and Supply regulations and should be considered null and void.
