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Torres hits back
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres hit back at former Labor secretary Edith Deleon Guerrero, questioning the timing of her accusations that the administration is riddled with corruption and has been hiding issues and other comments in ongoing investigations.
Torres had accepted Deleon Guerrero’s courtesy resignation on May 19, and the former Labor chief accused the administration of corruption a few days later.
“All Cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the governor or the administration. I decided to accept her courtesy letter of resignation. Unfortunately, she’s been out accusing the administration of corruption or hiding issues,” Torres said in an interview yesterday.
He pointed out that Deleon Guerrero’s allegations could possibly have merit “if she had resigned, saying ‘I resign Gov. Torres because your administration is corrupt, I resign because you are hiding issues that I do not allow and would not allow.’”
He questioned Deleon Guerrero’s timing in coming out with the accusation. “You wait until I accept your letter of resignation then you come out and say ‘be careful there’s corruption.’ I think that just shows the type of character she is.
“I have high respect for every individual. Unfortunately, she’s out accusing this administration of wrongdoings and I don’t appreciate that. We’ve done everything that we can within the law. I’ve been consulting with the [attorney general] with all the issues.”
Torres said he even ordered all departments and other government agencies to implement their respective policies to the letter “to make sure no one gets sidelined or is given a shortcut.”
“Why do you think [Imperial Pacific Resort’s casino] has not opened yet? Because we’re not shortcutting anything. They [Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC] want to open, we want them to open but there are regulations that need to be followed.”
“Regarding her behavior and accusation, I warned other employers to look at such character. When you accept the resignation, for her to come out and start accusing the administration, she’s been there for eight years. That’s the decision that I made and I’m proud that I made that decision.”
