Seven Rota govt employees to lose jobs

Rota Mayor Benjamin Manglona has not renewed the employment of seven municipal government workers, citing lack of funding as a reason.

But at least one Rota official questioned the mayor’s decision yesterday. Senator Paul Manglana said it was dubious and politically motivated.

On Sept. 13, 2005, Mayor Manglona sent separate notices of non-renewal to account clerk Merelyn B. Ogo, administrative officer Mary Carleen O. Atalig, community workers Joaquina L. King and Antonia B. Reynolds, project development officers Larry John “Bradlee” T. Atalig and Daniel Rangamar Jr., and school aide Shelby C. Rangamar.

“Due to our recurring fiscal problems and the anticipated shortfall of our [fiscal year] 2006 budget, it is with great regret that we will not be renewing your employment contract beyond your current contract expiration dated Sept. 30, 2005,” the mayor told each employee.

However, Senator Manglona, a Republican, expressed belief that the mayor’s motivation for his decision was purely political.

Mary Carleen O. Atalig is the wife of the Republican Party’s mayoral candidate Ben Atalig. Reynolds is her mother.

King is the chair of the Rota Republican Women Organization, while Larry John Atalig is the vice chair of the Rota Republican Youth Organization.

The three other employees are believed to be supporters of the Republican Party.

“It is done to intimidate voters. It’s our mayor at his worst. These employees have been working for eight years in ungraded positions. Why would he do this now when we’re under continuing resolution? The budget for all agencies remains the same. Lack of funding is just an excuse,” Senator Manglona said in an interview.

He also pointed out that most of the seven employees were among the least paid within the Rota government.

Except for Mary Carleen Atalig who earns $25,000 a year, the employees receive annual salaries ranging between $12,000 and $13,000.

“If he really wants to help, he could have cut salaries by 10 percent across the board and continued to hire everybody,” the senator said.

Senator Manglona also brought up his concerns to Management and Budget director Edward S. Tenorio and Civil Service Commission chair Francisco I. Taitano.

“As the CNMI government is still operating under continuing resolution, I am inquiring whether there has been a change in the personnel budget of the Mayor to substantiate the non-renewal of these employees’ contracts,” the senator said in a letter to Tenorio.

Meanwhile, Senator Manglona asked Taitano to investigate the matter.

He said: “Some of these employees feel that the Mayor’s action has more to do with the fact that these employees exercise their right as private citizens to engage in political activities. Ensuring that the right of these employees and all government employees for that matter to participate in the political/electoral process without undue hindrance or retaliation by the employer is protected, I am requesting the [CSC] to investigate this matter at the earliest opportunity.”