Manglona to Reyes: Put personal interests aside, work with Senate

Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) urged Senate floor leader Pete Reyes (R-Saipan) yesterday to “put personal interests aside” and “work together with the Senate” to help improve the economy—a week after the two traded barbs over a thorny resolution and accusations of wrongdoings.

Manglona said that Reyes has a “personal vendetta” against senators from Rota and Tinian, even though the decision to replace former Legislative Bureau director Glenna SP. Reyes—Sen. Reyes’ wife—was made by the majority of the members of the House and Senate.

“Unfortunately, I believe that the Legislature’s decision to terminate your wife is now affecting you decisions as a lawmaker. And besides causing animosity amongst your peers, your actions have more importantly affected the people of our islands,” Manglona told Reyes in a letter dated May 9 that was delivered only yesterday.

He said Reyes’ accusations are only deterring the Senate from addressing more critical issues such as the NMI Retirement Fund’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the continued decline in government revenue, and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s dire straits.

Reyes earlier accused Manglona and others of abuse of public funds by creating two subsistence allowances for members of the Legislature, which Reyes said is illegal.

Manglona believes that Reyes’ absences from leadership meetings, his changed disposition as a senator and a coworker, and his changed stance on many positions that the Senate has agreed upon are all in response to the Legislature’s decision to replace Glenna SP Reyes.

“Especially during these trying times, it is important that our intentions are clear. I am requesting you to please put personal interests aside and work…with the Senate,” Manglona told Reyes.

Reyes told Saipan Tribune yesterday that he will respond to Manglona’s letter, to be sent today. He, however, said that Manglona “has every reason to panic.” Manglona is seeking re-election.

Reyes said that Manglona has refused to work with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to find solutions to the crises the CNMI faces and couldn’t even work with the House.

Fitial is campaigning for Manglona’s opponent, former representative Victor Hocog. He earlier called Rota and Tinian senators “stupid” for killing a House bill legalizing casino gaming on Saipan. Reyes now supports casino operations on Saipan, citing the need to come up with revenue generating measures to stem the worsening economic condition.

Last week, the Senate adopted a resolution Manglona authored that objects to lawmakers who now want to go back to receiving their salary as legislators after waiving it to receive their retirement benefits instead. That resolution effectively applies only to Reyes.

Manglona said he is not trying to single out Reyes because he thought there were others who are doing the same.

Reyes said he is extremely honored that Manglona found the time and effort to craft up a resolution in Reyes’ honor. But he said Manglona could have drafted instead a bill that will prevent future abuse of public funds.