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Ethics panel convenes
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Posted on Oct 29 2011
By Mark Rabago
Associate Editor
Associate Editor
House Floor Leader George N. Camacho (Ind-Saipan) convened yesterday the committee specifically created to investigate Rep. Raymond D. Palacios’ (Cov-Saipan) alleged drug use.
House Speaker Eli D. Cabrera (R-Saipan) early this week formed the Special Standing Committee on Official Conduct and Ethics and appointed Camacho to head it. It will look into reports of drug-related issues involving Palacios and come up with recommendations, if warranted.
Besides Camacho, others members of the committee are Reps. Edmund S. Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota), Trenton B. Conner (R-Tinian), Joseph Guerrero (R-Saipan), and Ray Yumul (R-Saipan).
Camacho said that yesterday’s meeting didn’t last long and was just meant to “organize the group and figure out what direction they need to go.”
Among the first things they decided is that each member of the committee will have to undergo a drug test, he said.
“We ourselves as committee members will take the drug test ourselves prior to looking into [Palacios’ alleged drug involvement]. Before we question the character of our colleague, we have to clear our character first,” he said.
Camacho said each member should have submitted himself or herself to a drug test before the committee’s next meeting on Nov. 7.
Asked whether the committee will summon witnesses during its probe of Palacios’ alleged drug involvement, Camacho said for now they will be looking into media accounts.
“[We will] look at articles from newspapers and the video of telecasts from KSPN. The issue is based on newspaper articles so that’s what we’re looking at first,” said Camacho.
