DPW newsletter hit for political bias

Members of the opposition questioned a government agency’s newsletter for its alleged “glaring display of political bias” toward the ruling Republican Party.

“Almost every page promotes the Republican Party. I don’t think government offices are allowed to do this. It’s blatant political propaganda. This is unethical,” said a local resident belonging to an opposition party.

In particular, the resident cited that page 3 of the eight-page November 2004 newsletter of the Department of Public Works advertises DPW Secretary John Reyes’ efforts in securing membership for the NMI Republican Party in the national GOP.

The newsletter dedicated the entire page to the GOP national accreditation: a write-up on the issue and the Senate resolution acknowledging Reyes’ role in the political party.

Reyes is chairman of the local GOP. His public information officer at DPW, Felipe Atalig, also serves as executive director of the party.

“They are all GOP. This thing should be looked at by the Office of the Public Auditor,” said another opposition member.

The DPW Update newsletter, a quarterly publication by the department, put two pictures of Reyes on its front page, including a picture of him posing in Washington D.C. with Republican U.S. Rep. Richard Pombo.

The newsletter’s page 2 also showed Reyes posing with Republican Guam Gov. Felix Camacho in Washington D.C.

The last page of the publication carries “Voter Responsibilities and Voter Rights” pointers beside a group picture of Reyes and Atalig with Republican Washington Rep. Pete A. Reyes, and Pombo and his wife.

The publication reported that Reyes, who flew to D.C. in August until early September, met with various federal officials to discuss funding for a planned $12 million road project on Saipan.

On Sept. 2, Reyes attended the Republican National Committee convention during which the NMI Republican Party was formally recognized.

When reached, Atalig said the report and use of the Senate resolution honoring Reyes was no big deal, noting it was a public document.

“There is nothing there that discussed the party other than the resolution which was passed by the Senate. To me when it’s passed, it becomes a public official record of the Senate. That resolution was not initiated by DPW, but [is in] recognition of the outstanding work of the secretary, and we put that as part of the secretary’s work. As far as any political affiliation is concerned, we have nothing to do with that,” said Atalig.