AS the House Special Standing Committee on Official Conduct and Ethics adopted rules on Friday, Grace Pitu Sablan-Vaiagae urged its members to “bring justice to those who are seeking.”
Present in the meeting that started at 1 p.m. in the House chamber were the committee chairman, Rep. Donald Manglona, and members, House Minority Leader Angel Demapan, Reps. Joseph Leepan Guerrero, Patrick San Nicolas, Corina Magofna and Leila Staffler. Rep. Sheila Babauta was excused.
Prior to the adoption of the rules, the members were sworn in and took an oath of confidentiality regarding sensitive topics or information.
All the members present adopted the rules which included a code of official conduct and how the committee members should conduct themselves in an orderly manner in all meetings.
The rule states that “no information shall be disseminated and no comments shall be made to the media until a specific matter has been disposed of, or unless it is coming from the chair.”
The rule allows the meetings to be open to the public except when sensitive topics or information will be discussed.
Historic
Sablan-Vaiagae was the only member of the public who spoke to the committee.
She thanked its members for their “bravery and courage, and for uniting as legislators.”
She said it was a historical moment for herself, “along with countless victims, survivors, families and friends.”
“This is the moment that everybody has been waiting for since 2016. I want to commend you all. I am here today to stand with you,” Sablan-Vaiagae said, adding that the committee is “setting a precedent” showing that lawmakers “will use their moral compass and set aside political parties and unite to bring justice to those who are seeking.”
She added, “I’d like to say be yourself, be genuine, be you. If you are to be put in the same situation, you know what you’d do. As I stand here, countless women, children and families that…want to be here know that they can trust you, to now come together and address this, formulate a committee and to follow rules and conduct that may be adopted.”
Last month, Sablan-Vaiagae asked the House of Representatives to look into the sexual assault and abuse allegations against Rep. Edwin K. Propst.
Should the House not permit such an investigation, Sablan-Vaiagae said it would be conceding that a member of its body is above the law and beyond reproach.
Grace Pitu Sablan-Vaiagae speaks before the House Special Standing Committee on Official Conduct and Ethics on Friday in the House chamber.
