Justices, judges spent $50K in travels

The Judicial Branch tapped public funds totaling $50,000 for the travels of justices and judges in fiscal years 2004 and FY05.

Records showed that Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan has the biggest spending of $11,081.40; followed by associate judge Kenneth Govendo, $9,543.81; presiding judge Robert C. Naraja, $7,888.04; associate justice John A. Manglona, $5,562.32; associate judge Juan T. Lizama, $5,257.50; associate judge Ramona V. Manglona, $4,547.49; associate justice Alex Castro, $3,255.75; and associate judge David Wiseman, $2,760.15.

Documents showed that Demapan was issued 28 travel authorizations or TAs for his airfare and per diem during the period: five in 2003, 19 in 2004, and four in 2005.

His trips included at least five off-island trips: Hawaii, Montana, Washington D.C. in November 2003 ($1,867); Hawaii and San Francisco in June 2004 ($960); Salt Lake and Honolulu in August 2004 ($1,350); and Portland Oregon on Nov. 28 to Dec. 3, 2004 ($3,987.40).

Other funds were spent for his Rota, Tinian, and Guam trips.

Except for the Oregon trip in late 2004, which was charged under the Planning and Administration, all other trips were made using the CNMI Supreme Court account.

Govendo had 27 TAs: one in 2003, 20 in 2004, and six in 2005.

Govendo went to Portland, Oregon and Reno, Nevada on July 10 to 16, 2004, spending $1,883.70; and to Portland on July 17 to 25, 2004, costing $4,109.50.

The first week of travel was shouldered by the Secretary of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, while the second week was charged to the Family Court account.

Govendo’s other trips involved Rota, Tinian, and Guam.

Naraja flew to Seattle, Washington, in October 2004, costing $5,113.50, which was made under the Criminal History Improvements account.

Other travels that Naraja made to Tinian, Rota, and Guam were charged to the Superior Court and Juvenile Task Force.

Naraja was issued 34 TAs totaling $7,888.04.

Justice Manglona made two off-island trips: Nevada in December 2004 ($1,157) and New Orleans in April 2004 ($950). Other funds were spent for his interisland trips.

Lizama, meantime, flew to San Francisco in October 2004 under the Alcohol PI&E account ($3,957.50).

Judge Manglona spent $4,097.41 for a trip to Nevada on July 17-25, 2004 under the DCCA Secretary account.

Castro had one trip to Nevada and Texas in November 2004 using nearly $2,000 of Supreme Court funds, while Wiseman spent $1,735.15 for his trip to Chicago in March 2004 under the Supreme Court account.

All other trips were made locally.