CDA board accused of micromanagement

The Fitial administration accused yesterday the Commonwealth Development Authority’s board of micromanagement, citing that its chairman has been engaged in administrative work such as signing of checks.

“We found out that the CDA board is actually micromanaging the agency. For example, the chair is authorized to sign checks, even for payroll, based on what we’re hearing. That’s improper. It’s an administrative function,” said press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. yesterday.

He said the issue was discussed in yesterday’s Cabinet meeting.

CDA board chair Tom Glenn A. Quitugua denied any “micromanaging” actions. He admitted having signed CDA checks but he said that this is allowed under the CDA structure.

“That’s how CDA is structured. I wish Mr. Reyes would get his facts straight. We do everything legally here,” said Quitugua yesterday.

He said that, as chairman of the board, he is designated to sign document relating to capital improvement projects, along with the CDA executive director.

He said he also signs all other CDA checks.

“This is not something new. That’s been the practice since I got there. Chairman [Sixto] Igisomar was doing it. Chairman Juan S. Tenorio was doing it all the time. Why pick on CDA now? Is it wrong for me to do my duty?” asked Quitugua.

Quitugua, an appointee of former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, and two other remaining members are also being asked by the new administration to resign immediately.

Reyes said the administration treats the CDA now as not having a functioning board for lack of a quorum.

“The board is powerless right now. Quitugua has no legal authority because the board can’t even meet. They should stop meeting. They are not legally empowered. The best thing for them to do now is resign,” said Reyes.

He further warned Quitugua of possible personal liability “for operating without a quorum.”

“According to an interpretation of the law, they are not supposed to operate right now. All of them should resign and let the governor make new appointments. We need to clean house,” said Reyes.

Quitugua, meantime, said that he will not step down until the expiration of his term in May this year.

“There are still critical matters that each committee chair would be conducting business as usual. We don’t want to abandon our posts. I need to sign those critical documents. If I step down, no one would sign that,” said Quitugua.

Reyes said Quitugua should be wary of his actions “because he has no board behind him.”

Aside from Quitugua, two other CDA members remain on board: Manny Sablan from Saipan and Antonio Borja from Tinian.

Other members have tendered their courtesy resignations as requested by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial. They are Marcy Tomokane of Saipan, Vincent Calvo of Rota, Pedro Itibus of Saipan, and Edwin Hofschneider of Tinian.