CDA Borja has yet to decide on his status

While Commonwealth Development Authority board chair Tom Glenn Quitugua has formally decided to resign from his post, his former colleague from Tinian, Antonio Borja, has yet to decide whether to follow suit or stay on the board.

“I am giving my answer next week,” said Borja during a board meeting Friday at Northern Marianas Housing Corp.

The CDA board also functions as the board of NMHC, a subsidiary of the authority.

During the meeting, NMHC board member Vincent Calvo tried to persuade Borja “to continue with us.”

“I’d ask Tony to continue with us. I’d like for you to reconsider that [planned resignation]. Don’t put in your resignation,” said Calvo, describing Borja as one who understands the board’s duties and functions.

Calvo added: “ I still want to have him [Borja].”

He then moved to suspend the selection of the committee chairman for personnel and budget, which was vacated by Quitugua.

Meantime, re-elected NMHC board chair Manny Sablan said Friday that Quitugua’s resignation is final.

“He has forwarded his resignation,” he said.

Calvo, who replaced Quitugua as CDA board chairman and NMHC board secretary, said that Quitugua’s resignation letter was also sent to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.

“In that case, it’s official. He [Quitugua] told me that he resigned,” said Calvo.

Calvo and Quitugua are both from Rota.

Quitugua, who had been firm in his decision not to resign from the board until his term’s expiration this month, eventually left the board “due to political pressure.”

Of the seven board members, only Quitugua, Borja, and Sablan did not resign.

Their four colleagues, Calvo, Pedro Itibus, Edwin Hofschneider, and Marcie Tomokane, had tendered their courtesy resignations as requested by the governor. As a result, they were reappointed for another four-year term to the boards.

In an election Friday, Sablan retained his post at NMHC. Tomokane also kept her vice-chair position.

“I thank the board for maintaining the leadership. We’ll continue to work together,” said Sablan.

During the Friday meeting, the board led by Tomokane meticulously screened the budget submission of the NMHC management, questioning several items, and recommending their removal from the list.

The board cited the need to cut costs in all areas in view of the Fitial administration’s cost-saving programs.