House JGO: No hearing on Mafnas issues for now

House Committee on Judiciary and Government Operations chair Rep. Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan) said yesterday that most panel members decided not to call for an oversight hearing on the allegations against Department of Public Safety Commissioner Ray Mafnas since Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has already placed Mafnas under administrative leave since Monday and the Office of the Attorney General has also started reviewing the matter.

“We decided to allow the process started by the governor and the AG to move on. We also acknowledge the separation of powers,” Demapan told Saipan Tribune.

He, however, said the JGO panel is “closely monitoring” the issues surrounding the complaints against Mafnas.

Demapan, who met with some JGO committee members and the House legal counsel yesterday, said the committee would have taken a different approach had the governor or the OAG not acted promptly to address the matter.

“We do not want to invoke our oversight hearing authority because there are already actions taken by the governor and the AG’s Office. We do not want to jeopardize the AG’s investigation,” he said, adding that the panel is now aware of the sentiments of DPS employees concerning Mafnas.

Demapan said he hopes public safety will not be jeopardized as the process to address DPS employees’ concerns move forward.

The DPS employees who signed the petition asked the governor to remove Mafnas.

The petition says “Mafnas’ authoritarian leadership, confrontational approach, micro-management, and lack of faith and trust in the staff of the Department of Public Safety has brought a never ending fear of reprisal, humiliation, and degradation within our rank and file.”

Press secretary Angel Demapan, when asked for clarification, said that generally, administrative leaves is “paid leave.”

Fitial placed Mafnas on administrative leave on Monday, and designated DPS deputy commissioner Ambrosio Ogumoro to serve as acting commissioner for both DPS and the Department of Corrections effective immediately.

Demapan said that Fitial met with Mafnas before issuing a memo on Monday designating Ogumoro as acting DPS/DOC commissioner.

Attorney General Edward T. Buckingham said the OAG has sought assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office on this matter.