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Alleged anomalies in referral program, MPLA contracts cited
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Posted on Aug 02 2004
The House of Representatives is determined to get to the bottom of the alleged discrepancy in the implementation of policies and procedures involving the Commonwealth’s medical referral program as well as the Marianas Public Lands Authority’s “questionable” legal expenses and other activities.
Based on the subpoenas issued last Friday by the House of Representatives investigation committee, chaired by Rep. Clyde Norita, these two agencies – the Department of Public Health and MPLA – must submit required documents this Friday or they would be cited for contempt.
Amid concerns of discrimination, the committee demands that the DPH turn in copies of medical referral policies pertaining to eligibility, room and board, travel and escort.
“There are concerns from the public about the alleged discrepancy in the implementation of policies and procedures on medical referral program. To ensure fairness and to determine the veracity…, the committee is prompted to go ahead with this [probe],” said Reyes.
In particular, the committee aims to get hold of the records relating to the treatment and services rendered for Ramon Sakisat’s son.
As to the MPLA, the committee wants to dig into the agency’s legal expenses pertaining to two lawsuits, and demands the release of contracts it executed for legal services in the last two years.
These lawsuits involve the Marianas Public Lands Trust on MPLA’s alleged questionable use of land lease payments as well as Bertha Deleon Guerrero who sued the agency over her “illegal” termination in late 2002.
At the same time, Norita’s panel wants to scrutinize documents pertaining to the off-island workshops and seminars attended by MPLA board legal counsel Ramon Quichocho.
The committee also wants to look at the MPLA’s donation to the CNMI judiciary for the latter’s commemoration celebration last May.
