Senator: Civic duties deserve gov’t payback

Irked over failure by the Department of Finance to reimburse some expenditures of the legislature, Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez said yesterday he would amend the in-house rules to allow members to charge costs incurred from meeting their obligations in the community.
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He also lashed out at Finance Secretary Lucy DLG Nielsen for denying reimbursements to legislators on community activities such as providing tents for wake, locally known as Rosary.
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“I feel insulted when the public auditor and the finance secretary say that tent rentals for Rosaries should not be considered as a community need,” the senator said.
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According to the Villagomez, the amendment to the Senate rules on its obligation and expenditure authority will clarify confusion on which expenses members can charge under their operation accounts.
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“The administration should give us the courtesy of respecting the rules of the Senate… that the responsibility may include community needs and expenses such as tents, picnic tables, flowers,” he said in an interview.
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Villagomez accused Nielsen on picking items which they can reimburse, an action contrary to the constitutional provision.
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“Their interpretation of what is a local responsibility of the Senate (is that) she’s picking it up where she feels she’s comfortable with it,” he explained. “If she’s not, she denies reimbursement.”
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While they will be allowed to reimburse the expenditures, the amount should not exceed $500.
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Legislators have raised concern in recent months over inability by the finance department to release funds due them — a situation worsened by the serious cash flow problems of the CNMI government.
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Villagomez brushed aside perception that his move may clash with the administration’s ongoing austerity measures, saying the legislature has discretionary power as to how they should spend their budget allotment, including support for a constituent’s wake.
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“I told Ms. Nielsen that I might tend to agree if we are talking about a specific purpose, but when you come in and tell us we cannot support Rosaries, that’s an insult… being disrespectful to the culture,” he said.
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Villagomez added, “if they are telling us to be cautious with our expenses, then they should be careful with their decision when they hire new full-time employees.”