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Kara hangs on amid pushing, shoving
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Posted on Jan 05 1999
Embattled acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara yesterday stood pat in her decision not to resign despite mounting pressure from the Senate frustrated over its failure to oust her over the last three months.
She also dismissed reports that she has submitted her resignation to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.
“I will do (the resignation) on an instant once I feel that I no longer have the confidence of the governor,” Kara told in an interview.
The statement followed reports of a Senate threat to fire its most stinging attack in the next few weeks to force even Tenorio to expel the former House legal counsel from the crucial post.
Sources privy to high-level discussion in the Senate have said there are strong indications that senators may have to nail the local chief executive to prompt him to remove Kara and appoint another person in the position.
But Tenorio told reporters yesterday that he did not receive her resignation despite talks that his AG choice had submitted a letter informing him of her decision.
Irked over Kara’s snub on the Senate rejection, senators adopted a committee report last month lashing out at the acting chief government lawyer.
Kara has drawn Senate opposition following allegations of conflict of interest and controversial AG decisions since her nomination last July. She has denied the charges.
Earlier, Kara had said she would not step down unless Tenorio forces her out of office. The governor had expressed confidence on his choice, but hinted a wavering of position in his recent answers to reporters’ questions.
The chief legal counsel of the House of Representatives for nearly 10 years, Kara’s appointment had been bypassed twice at the Senate and was abruptly withdrawn last September when it was clear she would not have their approval. She has since held the AG on an acting capacity.
