Maratita keeps her leadership status

Saipan Rep. Janet U. Maratita will remain part of the House leadership this year, despite her joining the Republican Party, according to House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial.

In an April 28, 2005 letter to Maratita, Fitial said that Maratita will remain as chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources; as such, she would get her committee’s funding.

Fitial noted, though, that Maratita, who openly acknowledged last week her change of political affiliation—from Fitial’s Covenant Party to Republican Party—has allegedly been missing leadership activities for over six months now.

“The House leadership has decided that, despite the fact that you have continuously failed to attend leadership meetings and partake in leadership activities and decisions in excess of six months, the leadership will not be changed and you are reminded once again that as a member of the leadership and chairwoman for the committee, your attendance and involvement in leadership matters is mandatory,” said Fitial.

Fitial, at the same time, informed Maratita that the Office of Management and Budget would transfer funds to her committee.

When reached, Maratita said she is happy with the speaker’s decision. “I feel good that the speaker has finally decided to allow me to continue with my committee work. There’s no reason for removal. I think I’m doing a great job in the committee,” she said, citing that her panel has no unfinished tasks.

“We act on bills immediately. We’ve got no pending work,” she said.

Fitial said that the congresswoman’s letter of April 27, which asked for her committee’s funding, “does not address any matter of substance regarding the duties and responsibilities of the committee.”

Maratita confirmed that Fitial has authorized her committee’s quarterly spending of $7,500, but as of yesterday morning, she said, the money was not yet in.

As to her leadership status, she denied that she has been absent from committee and leadership meetings.

“I dispute that. It’s impossible. I’ve been attending committee meetings and leadership meetings. The only time I would fail to attend is when I was not told about it,” she said.

Maratita said she was not sure exactly how her relations with the leadership turned sour. She said it may have been due to the way she has voted on some issues.

“But I vote based on my convictions, what I believe in. I can’t be dictated by anybody,” she said.

Sources said that the congresswoman was offended with the leadership early last year when it told the media that it did not sanction her off-island trips. Those trips were reportedly made upon the invitation of the administration.

Sources said that the House leadership sees Maratita as a “rebellious” or a renegade member.

“I’m not. We have different opinions. We just need to respect each other’s opinion,” she said.

The congresswoman said yesterday that her relationship with Fitial and other members of the leadership remains cordial.

“I smile and talk with them. I joke with them. We talk,” she said.

The GOP is endorsing the second-term candidacy of Maratita for Precinct 1. Maratita ran and won her elective seat during the 2003 midterm elections under the Covenant Party.