Mayor Manglona furious over ‘unathorized’ groundbreaking

Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona was furious yesterday over what he termed as “an invasion” and “an act of disrespect” by the Rota delegation and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente for leading the groundbreaking ceremony for the $4.6 million Rota Health Center yesterday.

“It’s a shameful act. That’s an act of evil. I condemn them for doing that,” said Manglona.

The mayor, together with RHC resident director Luis M. Sablan, and a staff visited Saipan Tribune office yesterday afternoon to air his sentiment.

“They [Rota delegation] took over the responsibility of the local government and the resident director. They did it without our knowledge. It’s a shameful act,” the mayor said.

Sablan said he already sent out invitations for a Friday groundbreaking ceremony.

“The schedule is tomorrow [Friday] but they changed it to today. I never consented to the change,” he said.

The Rota delegation, chaired by Sen. Diego M. Songao, led yesterday’s groundbreaking ceremony for the RHC project at about 2pm.

The event was attended by Benavente, Department of Public Works officials, and a representative from the Office of Insular Affairs.

“They invaded my area of responsibility. It’s out of political desperation that they did this,” said Manglona.

Songao said it was deemed practical that the two events be held on the same day “to save on costs.”

“It’s less cost for the government. Maybe the mayor doesn’t like that,” he said.

He said that Manglona and Sablan knew about the groundbreaking yesterday.

“Everybody knew it but they chose not to be here. They went to Saipan instead,” said Songao.

When asked, Manglona said he had to travel to Saipan “to buy some stuff for the Halloween activities for children.”

Sablan said he traveled along with the mayor “to route the contracts of four RHC employees” who are retiring in December.

Manglona likened the delegation’s “unilateral” decision to a “terrorist act.”

“Somebody invaded my house when I’m gone. I’d study this matter and take it to court. It’s an act of disrespect to the elected mayor and the people of Rota will remember this. This will jeopardize their chance to win in this election. It’s a very shameful act that they did,” he said.

Rota delegation member Paul Manglona said the issue “is not about the mayor or other candidates.”

“This is about our island and the people and our economy. It’s about completing a much-delayed project,” said Manglona.

Mayor Manglona and Sablan said they would still hold their own groundbreaking ceremony as scheduled today on Rota.

The mayor concedes that the RHC project is “a Rota leadership project,” which includes the members of the legislative delegation.