Budget process should not be politicized—Guerrero

Public Safety Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero said Tuesday night that the House Ways and Means Committee’s budget process should not be politicized by Rep. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) or any other member of the Legislature.

This comes soon after Babauta recommended allocating just $1 for the commissioner’s position in the DPS budget after Guerrero failed to show up for the committee hearing on the DPS budget request. Guerrero had asked to be given more time to be excused from the committee hearing as he is on medical leave.

When asked about Babauta’s recommendation, Guerrero said in an email last week it is disappointing to hear that comment. “It is not only absolutely disgraceful and inappropriate, but considering the years of investment I’ve put into this department and to doing my best to protect this community, it is insulting and speaks of her purely political agenda,” the commissioner said.

Guerrero said he asked House Ways and Means Committee chair Rep. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota) for the extension because he needs more time before he can appear before the committee due to personal medical reasons.

The commissioner said during the original date of the hearing, June 8, his team was present and ready to respond to any inquiries and address any concerns related to the DPS budget.

He said if the committee could not accommodate an alternative schedule without his presence, his team stands ready.

“Our officers are always ready to serve and keep the public safe despite the politics of certain members of the Legislature,” Guerrero added.

Manglona disclosed in an interview Tuesday that Guerrero had informed him of his intention to take an additional two-week medical leave, soon after Manglona sent him a courtesy message to see if he can attend the budget hearing for DPS because the two-week medical leave that Guerrero had first taken is nearly over.

This development promoted Babauta to recommend, after completion of the committee’s budget hearing on the Department of Community and Culture’s budget, to allocate a $1 budget for Guerrero’s salary in the DPS budget for fiscal year 2022.

Babauta also recommended asking Guerrero for a medical slip about his leave.

Rep. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) supported Babauta’s recommendations.

Sablan noted that the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee that Babauta chairs had subpoenaed Guerrero and that he was at his office Monday, and that he was also able to answer questions from the media. Yet, Sablan said, the commissioner can’t appear for a budget hearing.

At the June 8 DPS budget hearing, Guerrero did not show up as he was on Tinian. Manglona reset the DPS budget hearing to June 11 but that also did not push through after Guerrero asked to reschedule the hearing.

At a budget hearing last year, Guerrero and Sablan had a tense exchange following the lawmaker’s back-to-back questions on nepotism, furloughs, and civil service rules at DPS.