House committee seeks answers

The House Public Utilities and Communications Committee has summoned officials of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to a meeting in order to shed light on some of the issues plaguing the agency.

Committee chair Francisco S. Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) said he has invited CUC board chair Adelina C. Roberto, executive director Gary Camacho, chief financial officer Antonio Castro, the engine selection committee, and the water and procurement division managers.

The meeting was originally set for April 6, Thursday, at 1:30pm at the House chamber. Dela Cruz, however, said that Roberto asked to move it to the following week, on April 11.

“I have already sent out a letter to CUC and asked to meet with them. Unfortunately, some of the board members and the executive director are off island. Ms. Roberto has requested to reschedule the meeting, to which I have granted,” added Dela Cruz.

CUC board vice chair Eric C. San Nicolas, secretary Albert A. Taitano, treasurer Joseph T. Torres, and members David J. Sabla and Ignacio I. Perez are also part of the CUC board.

The CUC board and executive director have been in the spotlight this week regarding a deal with General Pacific Services Marianas Inc., through president Amelia R. Toelkes, for the purchase of a power engine.

Amelia R. Toelkes is the wife of Robert Toelkes, whose company, International Bridge Corp., filed for bankruptcy last year and failed to finish its project at JFK High School in Guam.

Robert Toelkes is also a consultant in the M/V Luta project and is a defendant in the case filed by Japanese investor Takahisa Yamamoto.

IBC, according to Pacific Daily News, owes the IRS $9.2 million in taxes and another $4.8 million in business taxes to the government of Guam.

Dela Cruz said his committee just wants CUC to clarify some issues. “The committee does not hope for CUC to explain the whole issue behind the plan to sole-source but rather to have them explain outright how they arrived at their decision.”

“Again… we would ask them questions and hopefully they would answer.”

He also believe that a CUC board member also represents GPSM. “I also believe that a certain member of the CUC board may be a representative to Mrs. Toelkes’ corporation. I will divulge and clarify this information during my meeting with CUC on April 11.”

Albert Taitano, in GPSM’s articles of incorporation obtained by Saipan Tribune, is listed as an agent for the corporation.

Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao (Ind-Saipan), a member of the minority, is part of the House PUC committee, along with Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan).

Attao chose to withhold his comment when asked by Saipan Tribune. “At this time, I am just reading what is going on so I would rather not comment right now because I have not digested the information to formulate my concerns just yet.”

Reps. Francisco C. Aguon (R-Saipan), Edwin P. Aldan (R-Tinian), Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan), and Jose I. Itibus (R-Saipan) are the other members of the House PUC Committee. Aguon is also the committee’s vice chair.
 
Where’s CPUC?

Minority leader Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) also questioned why the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission has not stepped in since they would have scrutinized the contract for the emergency purchase of the power engine.

CPUC is the body that regulates the rates of all utilities—telecommunications, power, and water. Dave Guerrero is CPUC’s sole commissioner and the office has indefinitely closed since November 2016.

“CPUC may approve or disapprove rates. There were times that there’s only one member and I can’t believe it. This is not a small board, this is a big deal and we need to have that board,” said Villagomez.

Propst added that he’s not sure why Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has not appointed new members of the CPUC board. “[The closure in 2016] is all the more reason for Gov. Torres to reestablish CPUC. And I think they zeroed out their budget.”

“[Some] members were not renewed, that’s why it is defunct now. [CPUC] is supposed to review the contract.”