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MPLA affirms execs’ off-island trips
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Posted on Jan 17 2006
The Marianas Public Lands Authority has confirmed reports about the Washington trips of its chairperson, Ana Demapan-Castro, and commissioner Edward DeLeon Guerrero—which some agency insiders alleged to be a form of junket.
Demapan-Castro and DeLeon Guerrero, as well as MPLA board member Nicolas Nekai, went to Seattle to attend the Western States Land Commissioners Association conference at the Hotel Monaco Seattle on Jan. 8-12, despite the scheduled inauguration of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial on Jan. 9.
MPLA public information officer Ed Arriola Jr. confirmed the accuracy of the Jan. 9 news report in the Saipan Tribune about the Washington trip.
However, the MPLA spokesman has yet to provide information on how much the trip cost, including per diem fees. The MPLA returned none of Saipan Tribune’s phone calls to follow up on the issue.
Earlier reports said DeLeon Guerrero would not be back until after Jan. 17 even though the conference concluded last Jan. 12. It remained unclear if DeLeon Guerrero has already arrived on-island.
In a Jan. 4 memorandum, Demapan-Castro said DeLeon Guerrero would be off-island “on official business beginning Jan. 6, 2006 through approximately Jan. 17, 2006,” designating Vincent T. Castro in an acting capacity during commissioner’s absence.
Demapan-Castro, meanwhile, had issued another memorandum on Dec. 30, 2005 about her off-island trip beginning Jan. 7 and the designation of Manuel P. Villagomez as acting chairman until her return on Jan. 13.
“The foregoing delegations of authority are restricted, and shall not include the processing of personnel actions or personal service contract, procurement matters or reprogramming of MPLA funds,” stated the Dec. 30 memo, which made no mention whether or not the trip was for official business.
