There they go—again

Two Marianas Public Lands Authority employees who allegedly have close ties with board chairperson Ana Demapan-Castro purportedly left for the Philippines to complete a two-week computer course at the expense of the government agency.

MPLA insiders said the two employees would receive per diem fees of $300 per day, which would reach $4,500 for each of the staff covering the 15-day trip.

The sources further alleged that a third employee, Frank Borja, went with the two other for the trip, but added that Borja is the only computer technician among those who left for the Philippines over the weekend.

MPLA insiders said the two other employees, whose names are being withheld at this time, are assigned with the MPLA’s Homestead Division and Real Estate and Development Division. Sources said the computer course has nothing to do with the two employees’ tasks with the MPLA, branding their trips—except for that of the computer technician—as another junket.

The sources alleged that one of the two employees is a son-in-law of Demapan-Castro, while another is the son of Demapan-Castro’s co-worker at a private company.

The Saipan Tribune attempted to contact MPLA spokesman Ed Arriola Jr. about the alleged junket, but phone calls were unanswered.

The transition team for the MPLA has called for a review of off-island travels by the agency’s officials and employees and recommended that the suspension of all travels outside the Commonwealth to prevent wasting financial resources through junkets.

This developed following recent trips of certain MPLA officials to Seattle, Washington. Demapan-Castro, board member Nicolas Nekai and commissioner Edward DeLeon Guerrero went to Seattle to attend the Western States Land Commissioners Association conference at the Hotel Monaco Seattle from Jan. 8-12, despite the scheduled inauguration of Gov. Benigno Fitial on Jan. 9. Until Wednesday afternoon, DeLeon Guerrero reportedly remained off-island.

The transition team recommended the suspension of all-off-island travels, “unless authorized by board action for a period of 90 days, or until the board of directors amend the current travel policy and procedures to maximize its financial resources and minimize junkets.”

“We recommend that prior to amending the current travel policy, the current travel policy and practices by the board of directors and management staff of MPLA should be reviewed. Recommended amendment is to include proper travel justification and planning prior to authorization of travel,” the committee said.