Muña reconfirmed as Civil Service commissioner

The CNMI Senate confirmed Thursday the reappointment of Civil Service Commission board chair Raymond Muña to the commission. He will serve for four years.

Muña’s confirmation came with a barrage of concerns requiring urgent solutions, including furloughs that could introduce more cases to CSC, and the need for a Hearing Officer to close down all the current cases that the commission has yet to resolve.

Serving a second term and having been in the commission for 18 months, Muña welcomes the challenges ahead, and commits to do his best to look out for government employees in the CNMI. He identified furloughs as an outstanding concern, as he renews his service with CSC. “This is really new for all of us…and decisions have to be made to in order for the CNMI government to be sustained and the issues brought up. Of course it requires further attention, so as a commissioner for a Civil Service Commission for the for the CNMI, I’m really doing my best to look on how we can better our employees, our furloughed employees,” he added.

During the Senate session, Senate vice president Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian) reminded Muña to pay attention to the mandates of Public Law 17-80, or the Civil Service Act, as well as the Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations. “We are here to work with you, if there is a need for legislation to amend P.L. 17-80, or to come up with other corrective measures to assist our workforce that are being ‘let go’ because of the current situation that is upon us,” Hofschneider added.

Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) also advised Muña to ‘take seriously’ the points raised in the Senate committee report regarding his appointment, particularly raising concern on the lack of Hearing Officer that has led to people’s cases not being attended to. During the public hearing for Muña’s appointment, a private citizen who has been waiting for the resolution of his case, appealed before the Senate for help.

Muña said in a later interview that the CSC has now identified a person who could hear the cases, and that there are currently six pending cases, with the commission “almost there to close those cases.” Civil service employees who feel aggrieved may file a formal grievance with the commission. For those who have been furloughed, Muña advises them to consider furthering their education.

“Don’t lose out on hope. Right now, at this point, I recommend that they try and enhance their education and go attend the Northern Marianas College because it’s open and they’re ready to accept any student or employee in furthering their education,” he said. “Let’s just be hopeful and maybe in two years, the economy will be back to normal. Let’s say they graduate with that degree they’ve always dreamed of, it’s a win-win. [They can] either return to the job that they were furloughed from, or start a new job, but with the education background that could assist them in the long run.”