Kumoi eyes lawsuit vs CUC
Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero yesterday threatened to sue the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation and its Board Chairperson Rosario M. Elameto over remarks that he said were an “attack to my personal integrity and defamation of my character.”
He said his lawyer is currently looking into the possibility of filing the lawsuit stemming from the statement issued last week by Ms. Elameto slamming the senator for his move to investigate allegations of bribery leveled against CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez.
Calling the charges “lies,” the board chairperson questioned the motive of the probe sought by Mr. Guerrero, linking the issue to the debts the former executive director allegedly has owed CUC over the past few years.
But Mr. Guerrero flatly denied owing debts such as unpaid utility accounts, noting that this information is confidential that Ms. Elameto or CUC has a right to make public.
“It seems that she doesn’t know what she’s doing. She’s placing herself in a liable situation that would also probably put CUC in a suit,” he told reporters in an interview. “I will be reviewing [the law suit] with my attorney this week.”
Ms. Elameto could not be reached for comment on the latest development on the controversy that erupted after Mr. Guerrero last week called on the Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations to probe Mr. Villagomez for possible impropriety in connection with the procurement of the Saipan power project.
The Saipan senator submitted a copy of the purported affidavit from Alice Fleming Villagomez, ex-wife of the CUC chief, to support the allegations. Mr. Villagomez has dismissed the charges as “lies,” saying the Attorney General’s Office had cleared its name and closed the case months ago.
Meanwhile, Mr. Guerrero disclosed he would pursue investigation of contracts signed by the CUC executive director with various vendors supplying the government-owned utility firm with engine parts, power poles and other basic needs.
He said he expects to receive documents from Mr. Villagomez by next week which he had demanded under the Open Government Act, including contracts that he claimed may have been signed despite a conflict of interests.
One contract involved purchase of power engine for Rota that Mr. Guerrero claimed was a used engine, instead of a new one.
“I’m quite concerned whether bidding procedures have been followed,” the senator explained. “There’s a lot of people who are concerned on this. I am just trying to clarify the issue and let it go to rest.”
