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Rota’s ex-council chief protests ouster
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Posted on Mar 31 2000
The former chairman of the Rota Municipal Council yesterday denounced the action of its two other members who booted him out of office while he was on Saipan attending to government meetings.
Joe Rosario, who was relegated as secretary of the council he used to head following his election into office last November, said the move was against its policy as there was no quorum when the decision came.
Vice Chairman Kevin Atalig and Abraham Ogo, who used to be the secretary and is now its new chairman, voted to oust him from office last Wednesday while he was away on official meeting on Saipan.
Mr. Rosario said the policy of the three-member council states that a quorum constitutes presence of all members, thus the action two days ago was not valid.
“They can’t reorganize the council without the quorum,” he told reporters yesterday in a news briefing he called to protest the decision.
According to Mr. Rosario, he was informed about the revamp when he was sent a facsimile copy of the new officers.
He blamed political influence on Rota for the move. “I believe there’s an outside influence to members from the community. It’s a political move because the political season is just ahead of us,” he said, citing rumors of his future political plan.
Mr. Rosario admitted, however, that he has his eyes set for the 2001 polls for the lone House seat depending on who will be the candidates for the gubernatorial elections.
“I believe I’m still the chairman. The move they made is not in the best interest of the people of Rota,” he said, adding the Wednesday’s meeting of the council was not permissible since he did not call back a session after declaring a recess earlier.
Calls made to Mr. Atalig and Mr. Ogo in their offices on Rota to seek their comments were not returned. (BS)
