Above the law

Recently, Rep. Tina Sablan filed an Open Government Act request regarding the governor’s lawsuit against federalization. What Rep. Sablan is attempting to discover is who actually pays for the $50,000 a month attorney’s fees needed for this lawsuit.

As the governor has stated, he will not use public funds. So exactly where are these funds originating, if not from the public coffers? Like Rep. Sablan, many of us would like to see an accounting of these funds. Are public funds actually being used? Is there funding from outside which may involve a conflict of interest? Who is hiding what? And why?

To make matters more confusing, acting Attorney General Gregory Baka has attempted to block any accounting of these funds by stating: If the [feds] know how much money we have and what percentage we use, then the feds could bring a flurry of motions. Please Mr. Baka, correct me if I’m somehow wrong, but how much money we have is NADA!. We are BROKE. This has been stated by the CNMI Government a zillion times. As far as what percentage we use, it has also been stated a zillion times that we are paying $50,000 a month for some Washington lawyers. What stuff are you hiding from the other side? Do you think any of this is a secret to the other side? Who are you kidding? This is such a flagrant example of stonewalling and political babble that I would be ashamed of myself were I to invoke such spurious logic. This is plain cover up.

Interestingly, on the same day, the governor’s press secretary, Charles Reyes Jr., is quoted as saying, “We have always welcomed a frank discussion of economic concerns” and “The governor has always been willing to work closely with members of the Legislature on economic issues…” What reality are we discussing here? It would certainly appear that, if not an outright cover up, than someone is hiding something. Charlie, where is this frank discussion regarding the $50,000 a month? Please tell Mr. Baka to stop stonewalling, that is, if we are actually considering a frank discussion of economic issues. I wonder if you guys really believe any of this rhetoric you’re telling the public?

A legal request for public information has been made by a duly elected member of the House. It will be interesting to follow this and see if the requested material is handed over to Rep. Sablan…or are there persons in government who consider themselves above the law?