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CDA exec: SOS to Legislature
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Posted on Mar 23 2006
“Where are my elected leaders? Where are the lawmakers?” asked beleaguered Commonwealth Development Authority board chair Tom Glenn A. Quitugua amid pressure from the Governor’s Office to resign his post immediately.
Quitugua said he wants to see lawmakers speaking boldly about upholding the autonomy of CDA.
“The CDA is being attacked. The autonomous board is being pressured to yield to the administration. What do our lawmakers have to say about this?” asked Quitugua.
He referred to earlier reports saying that the Fitial administration wants to abolish the CDA and merge its functions with the Department of Commerce. No serious plan has been presented so far by the administration on this.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said what is considered urgent now is the resignation of all CDA board members.
Of the seven CDA board members, four have turned in their courtesy resignations: Marcie Tomokane (business sector), Vincent Calvo (Rota), Pedro Itibus (Saipan), and Edwin Hofschneider (Tinian).
Quitugua of Rota, Manny Sablan of Saipan, and Antonio Borja of Tinian have decided to stay on board until the expiration of their terms.
Quitugua said his term will expire in May this year.
“I intend to carry out my duty as a duly appointed and sworn-in CDA board director here until that time,” he said.
Quitugua said he expects the Fitial administration to respect the law regarding the tenure of board members.
“We were appointed and we were confirmed by the Senate,” said the board chairman.
Coupled with its call for members’ resignation, the administration had also accused the CDA board of micromanaging.
Reyes said it was found that the board, particularly the chairman, is engaged in administrative work such as signing checks.
“That’s improper,” said Reyes.
Quitugua denied this but confirmed that he signs checks “as allowed under the CDA structure.” He cited that previous CDA chairmen also signed off CDA checks, along with the CDA executive director.
The Fitial administration deems CDA as powerless and without authority due to a lack of a quorum. Reyes had warned Quitugua of possible personal liability for operating without a quorum.
