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MPLA chair, exec take off-island trips during inaugural ceremonies
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Posted on Jan 08 2006
Marianas Public Lands Authority chairman Ana Demapan-Castro and commissioner Edward DeLeon Guerrero reportedly went on official off-island trip and will not be back days after the scheduled inauguration of elected officials led by Gov.-elect Benigno Fitial and Lt. Gov.-elect Timothy Villagomez.
MPLA sources who requested anonymity said even board member Nicolas Nekai, a relative of outgoing Gov. Juan N. Babauta, went with Demapan-Castro to attend the Western States Land Commissioners Association in Seattle, Washington. Nekai’s participation, however, could not be confirmed at press time.
The association, of which the CNMI is an associate member, is holding the 2006 WSLCA Winter Conference at the Hotel Monaco Seattle from Jan. 8-12.
The sources lamented the trip as a form of junket, saying that DeLeon Guerrero would not be back until after Jan. 17, days after the conference is over.
In a Jan. 4 memorandum, Demapan-Castro said DeLeon Guerrero would be off-island “on official business beginning Jan. 6, 2006 through approximately Jan. 17, 2006,” designating Vincent T. Castro in an acting capacity during commissioner’s absence.
Demapan-Castro, meanwhile, had issued another memorandum on Dec. 30, 2005 about her off-island trip beginning Jan. 7 and the designation of Manuel P. Villagomez as acting chairman until her return on Jan. 13.
“The foregoing delegations of authority are restricted, and shall not include the processing of personnel actions or personal service contract, procurement matters or reprogramming of MPLA funds,” stated the Dec. 30 memo, which made no mention as to whether or not the trip was for official business.
The Saipan Tribune contacted acting commissioner Castro’s office last Friday, but a staff said the executive was not available for interview. Castro did not return several phone calls made by the Saipan Tribune to seek clarification on the off-island trips.
