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Lawmakers looking for new LB chief
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Posted on Sep 26 2008
Legislative leaders are looking to appoint a new director for the Legislative Bureau, with the term of the serving director set to expire on Tuesday.
The contract of LB director Joaquin Omar will end on Sept. 30, 2008. As of yesterday, no announcement has been made as to whether he will be reappointed for another one-year term or a new director will be named.
In a memorandum to House members, Speaker Arnold I. Palacios told Vice Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero to working with the Senate leadership on picking a new director.
“Because time is of the essence in this matter, I urge the vice speaker to immediately convene a dialogue with the House leadership and the Senate leadership on the selection and appointment of the Legislative Bureau director,” Palacios said.
Shortly after taking office earlier this year, the House and Senate leaders moved to replace Omar. But after being deadlocked for weeks on selecting a replacement, they decided to let Omar finish his contract.
The senators had wanted deputy director Glenna SP Reyes to replace Omar, saying she has hands-on experience and is already doing much of the work administering the legislative bureau.
The House leadership had opposed the Senate’s pick, saying it was tainted by nepotism. Reyes is the wife of Senate President Pete P. Reyes. The Republican-dominated House had wanted Ed Tenorio, a Cabinet member in the Babauta administration, for the job.
The bureau director is appointed by the leadership of both houses of the Legislature. He or she may be removed with or without cause by the majority of the members of each house.
