Tebuteb demands Pete A’s resignation

Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) is calling for Department of Public Lands Secretary Pete A. Tenorio’s resignation for his office’s failure to remit Managaha landing fees to the Marianas Public Land Trust.

In an Oct. 3, 2014, letter to Tenorio, copies of which were furnished to the media, Tebuteb said DPL may have been unknowingly violating the CNMI Constitution by not remitting Managaha landing fees.

“I am writing to direct your attention to DPL’s possible violation of 1) Article XI section 5 of the CNMI Constitution by failing to remit to MPLT any of the funds collected pursuant to DPL regulation as well as 2) DPL’s violation of binding and effective CNMI law, to wit SLL 18-9, which calls for the payment of valid judgments within the Third Senatorial District.”

Saipan Local Law 18-19 appropriates $800,000 in land compensation payments to land owners whose properties were taken by the government for public use.

Tebuteb doesn’t dispute that MPLT should receive any funds that are generated from public lands.

“Assuming arguendo (for the sake of argument) that Managaha Island landing and user fees should be collected pursuant to DPL regulation, then you must remit these funds to MPLT immediately,” Tebuteb told Tenorio.

Because of this non-remittance, “a certified question pertaining to this issue is completely moot and pointless.”

Tebuteb said Tenorio doesn’t need the Superior Court to tell him that funds collected pursuant to DPL regulation are the property of MPLT.

He wants a full accounting of Managaha landing fees and all fees associated to DPL regulations, especially during Tenorio’s term.

“Assuming you failed to remit any portion of said funds to MPLT, DPL and therefore, you, personally have failed in your constitutional duties.”

Tebuteb said if Tenorio fails to make a full accounting on fees DPL is mandated to turn over to MPLT, then the DPL secretary has no recourse but resign his Cabinet position.

“I hereby urge you to consider resigning from your position as Secretary of DPL based on your lack of attention to detail and your failure to perform your duties,” he said.

Calls and text messages to the DPL secretary were neither returned nor answered.

PL 13-16 is a one-time appropriation of $2.6 million from MPLT to the Marianas Visitors Authority, sourced from PL 11-64, which is the law that authorized the Department of Finance to establish the Managaha trust account.