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Dela Cruz resigns as DLNR secretary
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Posted on Jun 14 2011
Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio “Ike” Dela Cruz submitted his resignation letter to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday afternoon.
In a brief phone interview, Dela Cruz said the reason behind his resignation is “personal.”
“I am waiting for the governor. He’s been very busy,” he told Saipan Tribune. He said he has been telling the governor that he plans to resign as early as last year.
The governor was in a meeting when Dela Cruz personally submitted his resignation letter between 2pm and 3pm yesterday.
Fitial appointed Dela Cruz, the only government veterinarian in the CNMI, as DLNR secretary in 2006. The Senate confirmed his appointment in March that year. When Fitial was elected to a second term, Dela Cruz went on as DLNR secretary.
Press secretary Angel Demapan, when asked for comment, said he could only confirm Dela Cruz’s submission of a resignation letter yesterday afternoon.
Other sources privy to the issue said the DLNR secretary’s resignation was triggered by misunderstandings between Dela Cruz and the governor over a trip to Hawaii for a fisheries conference.
The sources said the governor did not want Dela Cruz to attend the conference. The sources also said Dela Cruz told the governor that if he does not want him to travel, then he must restrict travel across-the-board, “including you, governor.”
While one of Fitial’s Cabinet secretaries resigned, two were sworn in at about the same time.
Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos sworn into office Ramon Mafnas as Department of Public Safety commissioner and Larrisa Larson as Department of Finance secretary, a day after the Senate confirmed their appointments.
