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Senate: Williams’ termination beyond us
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Posted on May 02 2006
The Senate has expressed surprise over the reported termination of Public Safety Commissioner Ernest Mark Williams but feels unburdened of a possible lapse in judgment as a confirming body of all the governor’s appointees.
“The governor selects the best candidates. We confirm individuals based on those recommendations,” said Senate President Joseph Mendiola when reached Monday.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez decided Friday to terminate Williams—after only a month-long stint—following complaints from key command officers from the Department of Public Safety.
In a statement, the administration said it was “made in the best interests of DPS and for the sake of public safety.”
Williams, who comes from the U.S. military, allegedly failed to establish a good working relationship with the police force.
The administration’s statement said that Fitial and Villagomez “have pledged to find a highly qualified and highly ethical commissioner with good interpersonal communication and effective human relations skills to serve DPS well and boost officers’ morale.”
Mendiola said the Senate conducted an investigation on Williams prior to his confirmation.
“We [conduct an] investigation before confirmation. He [Williams] has a reputable background. Unfortunately this [termination] happened. But we don’t really know what happened. We can’t comment on the matter. To do that is to listen to both sides and be unbiased. But right now, it’s a matter that’s beyond the Senate,” said Mendiola.
