‘Next CUC board should be more transparent’

Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) hopes that whoever Gov. Ralph DLG Torres appoints to the new Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board would be more transparent in implementing its advisory functions over the autonomous government agency.

Dela Cruz, who chairs the House Committee on Public Utilities and Communications, said this would be among his recommendations if ever Torres asks him.

“The governor must appoint individuals that are business- and technically-inclined. He must appoint members who are ethical, transparent, as well as individuals who understand not only how to make policy decisions but most importantly, the state of CUC and how to improve it,” said Dela Cruz.

His committee held an oversight hearing last month on the CUC board and, based on their findings, had recommended that either the board members resign or for Torres to fire them.

Torres, on Thursday, asked for the resignation of the board members and all of them complied, submitting their respective notices on Monday.

Dela Cruz said that Torres made the right decision. “As the House PUC [committee] chair, I strongly feel that Gov. Torres made the right decision in asking the board members of CUC for their resignations.”

He believes that there won’t be any power vacuum at CUC since it would still function under the leadership of executive director Gary Camacho and his entire management staff.

“I don’t believe there’ll be any repercussions on the governor’s decision. I trust that the governor will expeditiously begin the process of appointing individuals for the CUC board. As you know, CUC was without a board prior to this set of board members who have recently resigned,” said Dela Cruz.

CUC board chair Adelina C. Roberto, vice chair Eric C. San Nicolas, secretary Albert A. Taitano, treasurer Joseph T. Torres, and David J. Sablan were gubernatorial appointees. Ignacio L. Perez occupies the slot reserved for the Commonwealth Development Authority.

Dela Cruz, however, wished for Torres to retain Sablan. “Gov. Torres can still re-appoint Mr. Dave Sablan if he wishes to in the near future. That is his prerogative.

He also added that Torres must appoint new Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission members. “I also believe that the governor is in the process of appointing [CPUC] members. The [CNMI] needs this regulatory body to keep our utilities, telecommunications, and cable companies in check with regards to rates.”
 
Ethics complaint

Rep. Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan) filed yesterday an ethics complaint against Sen. James Espaldon of Guam. He addressed the letter to 34th Guam Legislature Speaker Benjamin J. F. Cruz.

Propst, in the letter said, that Espaldon’s actions have left him with no choice but to file the ethics complaint. “It is unfortunate that I am compelled to file an ethics complaint regarding one of your colleagues.”

“But as a representative of the people of the CNMI and as a CUC ratepayer, Sen. Espaldon’s actions leave me with no other choice. Aside from submitting a formal ethics complaint, it is my hope that you and your senators will ask the many questions that have yet to be answered.”

He said Espaldon’s role and relationship with General Pacific Services Marianas Inc., which had been awarded CUC contract to procure an engine, is at the core of his ethics complaint.

Propst added that the “highly controversial [request for quotation] submitted and nearly awarded to GPSM” launched several investigations by the Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications; House Committee on Public Utilities and Communications; Office of the Attorney General; and the Office of the Public Auditor.

The project, RFQ-PG17-001, was later canceled.

“The findings and conclusions from these investigations led to CNMI Gov. Ralph DLG Torres calling for the resignation of five CUC board members on Friday,” said Propst.

“GPSM president Amelia Toelkes claimed in her company’s RFQ submission that GPM and Fairbanks Morse were a team and that they had ‘an established relationship with multiple successful projects.”’

He added this were also the same claims made by Espaldon to the CUC management and CUC legal counsel Jim Sirok. The Guam senator acted as chief negotiator for GPSM’s RFQ.

Propst said it was later revealed that Fairbanks Morse does not have any form of partnership with GPSM as stated by FM Power Generation segment manager David McCallum where he clarified that they were not a signatory to the agreement between GPSM and CUC.

“Yet GPSM’s RFQ submittal uses a joint letterhead with Fairbanks Morse and even has David McCallum’s signature at the bottom of the page, right next to the signature of GPSM president Amelia Toelkes,” Propst said.