Potential job seeker costs CNMI $3,000

Despite a ban on official travels, the CNMI government had spent $3,096.25 to bring from the U.S. mainland into Saipan a “potential applicant” for interview to the post of chief of investigation at the Office of Attorney General.

A travel authorization (TA) document revealed that Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio had signed the paper based on a request from acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara.

The governor confirmed the authorization was granted on AG’s recommendation, but said he did not know the all-expense paid trip was provided to a person seeking a government job on the island.

“I don’t know if it’s an applicant,” Tenorio said in an interview. “I’m sure the Attorney General has a reason for that and of course I don’t want to deny that I signed the TA.”

The applicant, Joseph H. Race, flew in from Seattle, Washington on November 13 and stayed here until November 20, according to the document obtained by Saipan Tribune.

Race was listed as “potential applicant” to be interviewed for the investigation chief post. “Travel performed in the interest of the CNMI government,” the TA showed.

Under the estimated cost of the trip, the government spent $1,821.50 for his roundtrip ticket, $350 for car rental during his five-day stay on Saipan and $924.74 for his per diem allowance.

The amount, which totalled about $3,096.25, was charged against government account number 118762500, the document showed.

When asked if he considered the action wrong at this time of budgetary crisis, Tenorio said: “I haven’t reviewed the reason why (AG spent for an applicant). I have confidence that the Attorney General reviewed it and when they submit the information, I expect them to review it.”

The governor has implemented wide-ranging austerity measures, including travel restriction and freeze on government hiring as well as cutback on overtime pay, to save funds amid the deepening financial crisis of the commonwealth.

Revenue collections for next year are expected to drop by 13.4 percent to about $216 million due to closure of nearly 1,000 businesses and double-digit decline in tourist arrivals in the last few months, according to finance officials.

The Northern Marianas is reeling from its worst economic crisis in years spawned by the prolonged financial turmoil in Asia, its main source of investments and tourism income.