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CPA insists autonomy, proceeds with meeting
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Posted on Mar 22 2006
The Commonwealth Ports Authority’s board of directors will hold its scheduled meeting today despite the governor’s dispute that it lacks his approval.
CPA executive director Lee Cabrera said yesterday that the board decided to go ahead with the meeting upon consultation with legal counsel Douglas F. Cushnie.
“They consulted with the legal counsel. There’s a go-signal [from the legal counsel],” said Cabrera.
The Governor’s Office questioned on Monday the CPA’s announcement of its board meeting set for today, saying it was made without the approval of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. said that during a Cabinet meeting Monday, the governor took particular notice of a line in CPA’s public announcement saying that “the governor and lieutenant governor hereby give notice for the meeting.”
“He [governor] did not authorize the CPA board to meet. …The governor is not calling for that meeting. The governor does not approve of that,” said Reyes.
He said that what the governor wants is the immediate resignation of all CPA board members so he could replace them with his own appointees.
The existing members were appointed by former Gov. Juan N. Babauta.
Fitial earlier summoned CPA board members to tell them up front to tender their courtesy resignations immediately.
Before this meeting, two members have already resigned: board chair Jose Lifoifoi and Rota member Prudencio Manglona.
The current members, meantime, still maintain a quorum to hold a meeting.
Those who remain at their posts are acting chair Antonio Camacho, Benigno Fejeran, Barbara A. Yamada, Serafin Dela Cruz, and Concepcion Igisomar.
They will meet today at 10am at the Saipan seaport office.
Based on the published agenda, the board is set to discuss several issues, including Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino’s fuel tank farm, Taga Air’s additional hangar space, Tinian dock facility, supplemental reserve fund, Open Sky matter, FY 2006 revised budget and others.
