No decision in probe on Torres’ expenses

A special committee the House of Representatives created to review the expenditures of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres is at an impasse, having been unable to reach a decision.

Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (R-Saipan), who chairs the Special Committee on Fiscal Review of Executive Expenditures, said he’d rather be relieved of this duty and have all materials they collated be turned over to the Office of the Public Auditor, which has the constitutional authority to investigate fraud.

In a report dated Dec. 30, 2020, Yumul said the committee was unable to come to a single decision, despite having subpoenaed or compelled the testimony of several witnesses and received about 1,600 pages of material and hours’ worth of of testimonies.

In the report that was addressed to House Speaker Jonathan Blas T. Attao (R-Saipan), Yumul said he understands that the public has an interest in the accountability and protection of public funds, which is why he instead strongly recommends that he be relieved of his duties and that the documents, testimonies, and records that they gathered be transmitted to the Office of the Public Auditor.

The lawmaker said OPA is the constitutional body entrusted with the audit of the receipt, possession, and disbursement of public funds.

“I, as chairman and given the nature of the matter at hand, find that it would be at risk of acting without any legal authority and in violation of House rules if it proceeded with its investigation,” said Yumul.

Attao created the special committee last July 6 to review documents and materials relative to the expenditures of the Executive Branch due to allegations of public corruption and abuse of public funds.

Rep. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) is the special committee’s vice chairman and the members are Reps. John Paul P. Sablan (R-Saipan), Luis John DLG Castro (Ind-Saipan), Christina M. Sablan (D-Saipan), Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota), Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), and then-representative Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan). Attao also appointed two alternate members: Reps. Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) and Joseph Lee Pan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan).

Yumul said the special committee found that there was simply too much material and too little time and resources to conduct an adequate and thorough investigation.

The committee conducted its first public meeting last July 13.

Among those who were asked to provide certain documents were Bureau of Motor Vehicle director Juana Leon Guerrero, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Anthony Benavente, Homeland Security and Emergency Management special assistant Gerald Deleon Guerrero, Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Priscilla Iakopo, Northern Islands Mayor Vicente Santos, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Robert Guerrero, and Commonwealth Casino Commission chair Edward C. Deleon Guerrero.

Last July 30, the special committee held a public hearing.

The committee decided, with seven members voting “yes” and one member absent, to issue a subpoena for the following items: all records related to first-class, business-class, or any other premium-class travel expenses paid by the government for Torres, his wife Diann, from Oct. 1, 2014 to Dec. 10, 2019.

The other items sought were any records showing credit card or bank information submitted by Torres or his designee for reimbursement by the government between Oct. 1, 2014 and Dec. 10, 2019.

Also sought were records related to expenses paid by the government for executive security, protective, or chauffeur services for Torres and his wife, from Oct. 1, 2014 to Dec. 10, 2019, and all records related to housing or utilities expenses paid by the government for Torres from Oct. 1, 2014 to Dec. 10, 2019.

The committee also sought documents from special assistant for administration Mathilda A. Rosario, Triple B Forwarders station manager Paul Manglona, and Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC chief executive officer Donald Browne, and subpoenaed Finance Secretary David DLG Atalig, Finance Administrative Services director Margaret Bertha C. Torres, and legal counsel to the governor Gilbert Birnbrich.