Two reps but no voice

Rota consumers may have lost their voice on the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board of directors just when they were given two representatives to the body.

The CUC board of directors is scheduled to swear in Laura I. Manglona this morning as Rota’s representative to the board. Manglona’s nomination to the post was recently confirmed by the Senate.

However, current Rota representative Martin Mendiola maintained yesterday that he has no plans to leave his post despite Manglona’s confirmation. He said he will attend today’s board meeting, as well as the one scheduled for Wednesday next week.

Citing an opinion reportedly issued by CUC attorney Edward Manibusan, Mendiola expressed belief that he remains a CUC director. “It is the recommendation of the board’s legal counsel to allow both of us [Manglona and Mendiola] to participate in board discussions. However, both our votes will be considered null and void.”

Mendiola also quoted Manibusan as saying that it is the responsibility of the Attorney General’s Office to seek clarification from the court as to who between the two is the legitimate Rota representative.

“It’s very unfortunate for Rota to lose its voice on the board when very important issues are being decided. To have our vote null and void is totally unacceptable,” said Mendiola.

He blamed the situation on Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s failure to inform him of Manglona’s appointment before the nomination was submitted for Senate confirmation.

“What makes me disappointed is that there wasn’t even a courtesy note or any form of communication from the governor or anybody regarding this situation. I would have appreciated if they had extended courtesy to me by asking me to step down. It was totally unfair, I was performing my duty and doing it with a lot of diligence,” Mendiola said.

Babauta appointed Manglona to the CUC board earlier this month, one year since she ended her 10-year stint as Rota representative to the panel.

Manglona was nominated to fill the position supposedly vacated by Mendiola, who was confirmed by the Rota Municipal Council as the new resident director of the Department of Commerce for Rota on Feb. 18, 2005.

Mendiola said, however, that he was never informed that he was being taken out of the CUC board until he read about Manglona’s appointment in the newspaper.

Politics, he claimed, was the reason behind the move to replace him.

“I really believe that the only reason they want me out of the board is the fact that I’m digging up a lot of bones in the closet,” said Mendiola.

The five other individuals currently comprising the CUC board of directors are chair Francisco Q. Guerrero, vice chair Herman P. Sablan, secretary Rufina Miles, treasurer and Tinian representative Allen Perez, and board members Joe Torres and Velma Ann Palacios.