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Hofschneider defends NMC probe
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Posted on Feb 11 1999
The ongoing oversight hearing of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare opens debate on whether the Northern Marianas College is on trial with its president, Agnes McPhetres, taking the heat.
“It will be irresponsible for me as the head of the committee to use this for publicity. I don’t need that and this is a serious investigation,” said Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, the chairman of the committee.
To prove his point, he said he would henceforth decline interviews about the oversight hearing. He said this would keep the integrity of the entire process.
“This committee is committed to getting down to the real problem and provide the solutions. They are under investigation and we will continue to request for documents,” he said.
Rep. Karl T. Reyes, a member of the committee, said the opening speech of Hofschneider may have triggered insinuations of manipulation to gain media mileage. The speech alleged mishandling of funds.
Reyes said, “To me that’s a Chinese way: I accuse you and you have to prove yourself innocent instead of the other way around.”
However, a staunch supporter of the college said the outcome of the hearing would prove favorable to the NMC.
“No doubt whatsoever that the community will find out,” the source said.
The oversight hearing was called to look into alleged mismanagement of NMC funds, including educational grants.
An earlier hearing discussed a recurring budget shortfall which dogged NMC for several years.
NMC officials expressed frustrations over the failure of the government to allocate enough funding.
