Inos stands by Pete A; Blanco says Tebuteb politicizing issue

The Inos administration is sticking with Department of Public Secretary Pedro A. Tenorio even as Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ acting public information officer accused Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) of politicizing Saipan Local Law 18-19.

“As to the matter of calling for the resignation of the DPL secretary, the governor has the utmost confidence in the secretary’s integrity and leadership. Instead of being asked to resign, the secretary should be congratulated by all for his ability to administer such an important department in an ethical and lawful manner,” Inos’ acting PIO, Ivan Blanco, told Saipan Tribune in an email Tuesday.

Tebuteb on Friday called for Tenorio’s resignation due to DPL’s alleged failure to remit Managaha landing fees to the Marianas Public Land Trust.

Like other members of the 18th House of Representatives, Tebuteb is up for re-election. The congressman, Inos earlier noted, originally agreed to sign off on a certified question regarding SLL 18-19, which appropriates $800,000 in land compensation payments to landowners whose properties were taken by the government for public use.

Blanco said the Executive Branch respects the Legislature’s inherent authority to pass laws but SLL 18-19, according to the Office of the Attorney General’s opinion, is unconstitutional.

“It must be remembered that it is the duty of all members of this administration to uphold the Constitution. This matter has been an ongoing [issue] between the Legislature, DPL, and the AG’s office during previous administrations and legislatures,” he said.

Blacno said that is the reason why the governor didn’t veto House Local Bill 18-45 D1, effectively allowing it to become SLL 18-19 60 days after the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation passed it.

“The administration’s interest is to take this matter to the Supreme Court for a final and binding decision. Once the decision regarding constitutionality is made by the court the administration and the OAG will know the law it is to enforce and will rigorously do so,” added Blanco.

He also lamented how Tebuteb has politicized the issue by asking for Tenorio’s resignation. In his letter to Tenorio, the congressman intimated that he would no longer sign off on the certified question after describing the process as “completely moot and pointless.”

“In an effort to reach finality and closure on the matter, the administration, through the Office of the Attorney General, sought the honorable congressman Tebuteb’s support in posing a certified question to the Supreme Court. It appears that the honorable congressman does not wish to take this matter to the highest court for a final ruling, but has instead decided to politicize this matter and take it to the media. He has the right to do that and that is his prerogative. However, this does not solve the matter and, instead, lets it fester for everyone.”

Under SLL 18-19, $800,000 in Managaha landing fees should be paid for Saipan land compensation within 60 days of the local bill becoming law. The same law appropriates $100,000 each to the Northern Marianas Descent Corp. and the NMI Museum of History and Culture, but within 90 days of the measure becoming law.

Under the $800,000 land compensation payment law, at least 223 Saipan landowners will get anywhere from 89 cents to over $190,000 based on DPL’s calculation.

When reached via telephone, Tenorio said he would rather not comment on Tebuteb’s call for his resignation and would instead let the Office of the Attorney General answer the lawmaker’s questions pertaining to DPL’s remittance of fees to MPLT.