MPLA OK’d $68K leave for Eliptico

The Fitial administration intends to terminate a 2004 contract executed by the defunct Marianas Public Lands Authority allowing former MPLA deputy commissioner Frank Eliptico to receive half his salary while completing a master’s degree.

The contract, signed on Dec. 31, 2004, allowed Eliptico to go on educational leave for two years to obtain a master’s degree in business administration.

During this period, he will receive $34,000 a year, which represents 50 percent of his regular salary with the agency.

“We will look into the legal aspect of the contract. It’s not right that some people have to make do with shorter work hours or reduced salary, while a privileged few are getting paid $34,000 to go and get a master’s degree. This type of practice is not welcomed by majority of the community members,” said press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.

Eliptico’s study leave is effective from Jan. 23, 2005 to May 30, 2007. The contract provides for Eliptico to obtain an MBA degree and to enroll in pre-baccalaureate degree courses necessary for his post-graduate studies.

The contract also provides that Eliptico may extend his study leave by six months if he could show good cause that he could not obtain the MBA degree within the allotted time.

Eliptico, after completing the MBA degree, is contract-bound to work full-time for MPLA for a period twice the duration of his study leave. His minimum salary would then be $60,000 a year.

If he fails to complete the degree or comply with the service pay back requirement, Eliptico is obligated to pay back all funds, prorated to account for the amount of service paid back, provided to him during the study leave period.

The agreement, however, includes a “no job guarantee” provision authorizing MPLA to permanently replace Eliptico during his study leave. If this occurs, Eliptico may apply for a transfer to a new position through the Human Resources Division.

Eliptico has served the former MPLA in different capacities, including land enforcement officer, chief of the Real Estate Division, deputy commissioner, and, periodically, acting commissioner.

“Employer [MPLA] believes it is in employer’s best interest to offer educational leave for the purposes of training certain selected employees with distinguished service and potential in their pursuit of higher education which will further assist employer in meeting employer’s objectives of efficiently managing and optimizing the potential of public lands use in the CNMI,” read a portion of the contract.