Commerce director terminated, cites politics as reason

Commerce director Jesus Muna said yesterday that he has been terminated without cause after he aligned himself with the Covenant Party.

“I have no doubt in my mind that I was terminated for political reasons. It’s all politics,” said Muna, the head of Commerce’s Alcohol, Beverage, and Tobacco Control Division, in a news briefing held yesterday at the Covenant Party’s headquarters on Middle Road.

Muna said he had supported the Republican Party in the past but due to his dissatisfaction with the Babauta administration, he chose to join the opposition.

He said rumors about his termination circulated in the department shortly after he was reported to have accepted the post as Precinct 1 chairman for the Covenant in January.

On Feb. 4, he said Commerce Secretary Andrew Salas met with him to ask why he defected to another party and informed him of a termination letter that “he was just hanging on to because it’s a hard thing for him to do.”

“Mr. Salas went on to ask me what happened, how come I switched parties,” said Muna.

During the conversation, he said he told Salas that he was unhappy with the administration from the beginning when he was removed from his post as director of the Veterans Affairs Office.

In early 2002, he said, he was initially appointed to head the Veterans Office, but after seven days, he was informed that he would be replaced by fellow military retiree Frank Cepeda, who resigned the position himself last year over disagreements with the administration.

Muna said the governor gave him the Commerce position “to shut me up.”

Salas, in a Feb. 4 notice of termination letter that was handed to Muna on Feb 14, said the director’s employment “has been greatly appreciated, however, the Department of Commerce has elected not to continue your employment.”

Salas said that Muna could be terminated without cause since he is not covered under the Civil Service Act.

“The Excepted Service Conditions of Employment and the Excepted Service Personnel Regulations govern the terms of your employment. These conditions…to which you agreed when you accepted this position, provide for early termination. In accordance with Section 11.B and Part IV.B1…, your employment will be terminated 60 days from your receipt of this letter. This termination is not considered to be for reason of cause,” said Salas.

Muna’s termination letter was reviewed and signed by Personnel Management director Juan I. Tenorio on Feb. 7 and by acting attorney general David Hutton on Feb. 10.

Muna said that Salas told him he can choose to stay for 60 days or leave the post earlier.

“I told him I will stay until my 60-day period is up, which is April 14,” said Muna.

Further, Muna said that on Feb. 4, Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Secretary Juan L. Babauta called him at about 4pm to tell him about Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s decision to run for re-election.

The DCCA secretary allegedly told him that he could change his employment status if he switched back to the Republican Party.

“I told Mr. Babauta that I’m not going to do that because I’m a professional and decent person,” he said.

He said the DCCA secretary “confronted” him again on Feb. 22, when they met at the American Memorial Park.

“He said I’ve been shooting at them and it won’t mean that they won’t shoot back. Again, he said that he can still change the decision [regarding] my termination…if I switch back to the Republican Party. In my own judgment, Mr. Babauta was harassing me,” he said.

When reached yesterday, Secretary Babauta said he has no jurisdiction over Muna’s employment at Commerce.

“I did talk with him after work about his plans but see, I’m not the one who terminated him. I was not the one who signed the letter,” said Babauta. “I don’t think it’s politically motivated at all.”

As for Muna’s decision to leave the GOP, Babauta said, “that’s his choice. We gave him the opportunity but I think he is disappointed as a director.”

Salas was called several times yesterday for his comments but he did not respond.

Muna said he has requested for an administrative hearing to get a clearer picture of his case.

Muna said his friend, retired military officer Martin Manglona, introduced him to the Covenant Party late last year.

“We come from the same background. I have high regard for Mr. Manglona,” he said.

Manglona is currently the chairman of the Covenant Party.

The party endorses the gubernatorial candidacy of House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez.

The tandem challenges the re-election bid of Republican Gov. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.