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Babauta withdraws Maratita nomination
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Posted on Apr 16 2002
Gov. Juan N. Babauta has withdrawn his nomination of former senator Edward U. Maratita to the Board of Directors of the Commonwealth Development Authority.
In a letter addressed to Senate Vice President David M. Cing dated April 12, the Governor said he is withdrawing Maratita’s nomination after it came to his attention that the former senator is a client of the CDA.
Legislative sources said this means that Maratita has an outstanding loan at the CDA and, if his nomination to the CDA Board is confirmed, this could result in a conflict of interest for the former lawmaker.
The Saipan Tribune tried to solicit additional comments from Babauta about this but he declined. This reporter also tried to obtain more information from the CDA but was told that CDA Executive Director Mary Lou S. Ada had already left her office.
Cing, who is chairman of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, was also unavailable for comment yesterday.
It was learned, though, that at the moment, the EAGI committee has not received a substitute nominee from the Governor who would replace Maratita’s nomination. (J. Vallejera)
