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Resolution seen in resolving MPLA issues
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Posted on Dec 28 2004
Marianas Public Lands Authority chair Ana Demapan-Castro expressed confidence that the MPLA board of directors will have a smooth meeting regarding the termination of former MPLA commissioner Henry Hofschneider and the appointment of Edward M. Deleon Guerrero to his post.
At the meeting, the MPLA board members are scheduled to adopt a resolution acknowledging and confirming Demapan-Castro’s unilateral decisions to fire Hofschneider and replace him with Deleon Guerrero.
The adoption of the resolution is intended to resolve questions about the legitimacy of Deleon Guerrero appointment, which have caused delays in the payment of compensation to landowners.
In an interview, Demapan-Castro maintained that it was not necessary for the board to adopt the resolution. “But if this is what it takes to get the land compensation payments to the claimants, we will do it,” she said.
Pursuant to Public Law 12-33, any action by the MPLA board must receive the affirmative vote of majority of its five members. But on July 30, 2003, a majority of the board signed a memorandum giving the MPLA chair the power to hire and fire for cause any MPLA employee.
Exercising this power, Demapan-Castro on Oct. 8 terminated Hofschneider and promoted Deleon Guerrero to the position of commissioner from being special assistant to the acting commissioner.
In November, Deleon Guerrero transmitted four land compensation requisitions to the Finance secretary for concurrence and processing.
The Attorney General’s Office, however, instructed the Finance secretary and the Commonwealth Development Authority to stop processing all land compensation requisitions based on questions regarding the legality of Deleon Guerrero’s promotion.
Gov. Juan N. Babauta told MPLA on Monday to resolve the issue over Deleon Guerrero’s employment status.
A power struggle within the MPLA board itself had ensued Hofschneider’s termination in October, with three of the board members trying to reverse Demapan-Castro’s action and restore Hofschneider back to his post. The issue was subsequently resolved after two of the board members withdrew their support from the attempt and moved toward reconciliation.
