Nonreinstatement of personnel may lead to suit
The Attorney General’s Office has warned of potential lawsuit that may arise from failure by the CNMI government to reinstate six former officials from the previous administration to their civil service status.
Acting AG Maya B. Kara said they would ask these people whether they want to return to civil service while the government would try to accommodate them if positions become available.
The employees who were terminated during former governor Froilan C. Tenorio included three from the Department of Public Safety: Francisco Duenas, Lino Tenorio and Fransisco Cabrera, as well as Elicio D. Cabrera from the Office of Management and Budget, Juan C. Tudela from public works and Remedios R. Sablan.
According to Kara, they are entitled under existing executive order to be reinstated in the classified civil service in a position that they are qualified for at the grade and step previously held.
She pointed out, however, the government does not need to give them the exact job, but to return to their old classification under the civil service laws.
“We do not want to have any of these people complaining or filing lawsuits for not returning them to the position that they are entitled,” Kara said in a memorandum to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.
None of these employees has yet to express willingness to return to civil service, according to the chief government lawyer. So far, only three have opted to return to their positions, including former labor and immigration secretary Thomas Sablan, Joaquin Taitano and Dolores San Nicolas.
