Cop issues traffic citation to PSS chief
Public School System Commissioner Dr. Rita Sablan was cited for alleged misuse of government vehicle last month, Saipan Tribune learned.
Sablan’s hearing will be in Superior Court today, Thursday, at 9am.
Saipan Tribune contacted Sablan last night but she refused to comment.
Sources disclosed that Police Sgt. Anthony Macaranas issued the traffic citation to Sablan at Twins Market in Lower Navy Hill.
Sources said Macaranas saw that Sablan was driving a tinted white Honda four-door sedan that was leased to PSS. The officer also found out that the car has no government markings on the door and a regular license plate was used instead of a government plate, in violation of the Government Vehicle Act.
Not surprise at all. This warrant IG investigation.
This may prove interesting. So IF this was indeed a PSS vehicle, how can this vehicle be issued a “civilian” license plate “legally”?
Just who was the vehicle registered to according to the registration and the plate number? Was this a bogus plate from another vehicle?
Why no PSS markings?
It is allso interesting how this cop knew this was a Govt. vehicle unless he has been watching this for a while and knows Sablan uses this vehicle regularly.
More cops should start ticketing Govt. vehicle drivers for misuse. Also Legislatures when their Govt. vehicle are being miss used.
So Dr. Sablan appropriated the vehicle and removed government markings and plates. These would have clearly illustrated to the outside observer that government property was being used for personal use. Tinted windows to conceal the occupants as well. Would love to hear the reason why Dr. Sablan is not fired immediately for these actions. What other lapses of ethics are out there. Bad eggs like her have to go.
WOW. Sounds like tampering with government property. No seal and tag altercation?
Do you really not understand the term
“lease”? Based on Merriam Webster dictionary, the word lease means a contract by which one conveys real estate, vehicle, equipment, or
facilities for a specified term and for a specified rent.
In vehicle leasing, the majority of
lease agreements require the car be returned in the exact condition it was sold
to you in, except for “normal wear and tear”.
If you modify the vehicle WITHOUT their permission, it gives them the rights
not only to keep the money you placed into the modified vehicle, but charge you
outrageous fees for “their need to restore” the vehicle. PSS has no
right to make any marking on the leased vehicle. Government has no right to
issue a government plate number to the vehicle because the vehicle is just
under lease.
How dare you cited her for the misuse
of government vehicle when she entered the store to buy something on her way to work or to a meeting. So if I drive a government vehicle and suddenly chokes due to thirst, you wanted me to change the vehicle first before running
to the store? You should know better ha!Why don’t you focus on spying your own people
who stays at the coffee shop for hours using the government vehicle?
Commissioner Sablan works really hard
beyond working hours to improve the quality of public education. She deserves
respect from the community!
Best go to any ofthe dealers that provide lease vehicles to Govt. agencies or elected and get the true facts (in writing) Might be go on the internet and look at the conditions, they may also be there. Most areas are not much different, BUT then again this is the CNMI.
Your dead wrong sir, this law is a good one. Don’t abuse tax payers equipment. If you must be away from work, use your own car, but that also is a waste of time away from work.
the fact the the car was leased using tax payers money, and the fact that its not gov’t tagged, does not excuse anyone for personal use of car
Rah rah rah! Leased or not, this vehicle is being paid out of government funds-federal or local, it doesn’t matter. read! read! read! 1CMC subsection 7406. Does it sit well with you that the gas money doesn’t come out of HER OWN PERSONAL pocket? Does it sit well with you that because the windows are tinted, and the vehicle is NOT PROPERLY MARKED, that it makes it easier for other family members to drive this car as if it were the “family ride”? I THINK NOT. If PSS can afford to travel so darn much on junkets and host parties for staff (with PSS money) then, I’m sure PSS can spare a few bucks to get a temporary sticker like the magnetic ones that you can take off easily, to show that this is a PSS vehicle.
Witch hunt? Again, I think NOT! Say: INVESTIGATION. Yes, DPS has it’s flaws but so does everyone else in the government. DPS is now working on enforcing the Government Vehicle Act. So no, this isn’t a witch hunt, it’s just someone doing their homework. Get over it already! I can’t imagine why you, Tangulu54, would bash on him, when he really is doing his j-o-b. “Damned if you do, and damned if you don’t”, noh? Either way, people like you will always have something to complain about. Sad.
One more thing: How about she just pay the fine, mark the vehicle and move on. Rather than have us taxpayers cough up more $ to pay for the upcoming hearings. It appears that she, under advisement of PSS Legal Counsel wants to challenge this law by claiming that she should be exempt. Hmmm, more room to wiggle around. More room for wasted $$ because once this happens, then everyone else in position of authority will ask for the same. Hmmm, more complaints from the public about misuse and abuse of gov’t vehicles.
And who “changed” the vehicle by putting tint on it? (these vehicles are not delivered with tint unless requested.) And a new vehicle will be registered to any agency or person as requested at the time of the lease with registration and new plates changed if they bear Govt. license at time of turn in and/or sold to an individual.
How many other vehicles are leased by Govt agencies and bear Govt plates and markings? (how many more also are not?).
BTW to all, Govt. insures it’s own vehicles. (self insured) so they have to pay for the leased vehicle if it is destroyed or the repair if it is in an accident also the liability to other vehicle and passengers etc..
The court has to make an example of Sablan in this case or as you state, “everyone else will continue to do it”.
Hey Einstein.
Why don’t you educate yourself instead of embarrassing yourself and exposing yourself as a neophyte. Public law 9-37 known as the Government Vehicle act. Goverment Vehicles are defined as ones which are owed and leased. It clearly states the exemptions and the law. Review section 3 of the law. It expressly forbids in e) the tinting of windows. Also f) markings on government vehicles shall be marked on both doors. Lastly g) Government license plates shall be affixed to government vehicles.
She will have her chance to explain this in front of a judge. I trust that the proceedings will be well reported to eliminate any confusion. If the allegation is proven to be correct then OPA should act accordingly and she should be made to answer for the violations of the law.
Buenas,
It is call damage control and probably during working hours on the tax payers expense.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase
While I agree with you in regards to your other statement, Sablan was caught in the process of doing private errands and was not on official business.
The rest just came out and contradicts and adds to the misuse of Govt vehicle.
She will have her day in court and will have to have answers to many questions.
This will also be interesting as to how long this has been going on in regards to this particular vehicle.
I have had many leased vehicles here and in other places, when leased I usually have them marked with the company name and any extra’s (at my cost) prior to delivery.
In the past my company leased vehicle that I personally use I also have at times put vanity plates on during my lease.
Also at the end of the lease these vehicles are available for purchase at a “buy out” or can be turned in and exchanged for a new vehicle. Charges are for excess mileage and most times repainting.
I generally have the vehicle repainted and and any repairs done if I am going to turn them in. It is much cheaper than being charged for it.
BTW from what I have seen in the past most of these vehicles that are leased and paid for by the Govt. are picked up by family members of the person in the agency using the vehicle (or the same person) for the reduced price at the end of the lease.
This is more so true on the elected leased vehicles.
So does anyone think this is correct, scamming the system using Govt. funds as a majority (if not all) do unless the vehicle is completely trashed. (Which is true in many cases)
FACT: TO BE ISSUE A CITATION IS PUNISHMENT. DO WE REALLY NEED TO CRUSH A PERSON? I THINK NOT.
Dr. Sablan is NOT POOR. Someone in this MONEY COSTING government should set an example and drive his/her own vehicle, to work, from work , shopping on govt. time you name it, every day. She got what is coming. Abuse is abuse. Good job Mr. Macaranas. We need people like you to keep these people in CHECK.
Buenas,
It is a small island and everybody knows other people’s business. Or maybe someone from PSS got reprimanded and it was a payback to spill the bean.
Si Yu’us Ma’ase
Great Job Officer Macaranas!!! Get em, all of them. Including these commenters that talks B.S about you and what you do. No one is above the law. She should know better as the highest ranking official within PSS! We will see if BOE will do something about this.
FACT：EVERY TRAFFIC CITATION IS PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER. IF I KNOW I MADE A ERROR, AND GOT CAUGHT, AND ITS PUBLISHED IN THE NEWSPAPER, ALL MY FAMILY AN FRIENDS NOW KNOW…I FEEL BAD…AND SORRY. I MADE A MISTAKE. , I AM DOWNHEARTED…SO WHY TRY AN MAKE A PERSON FEEL CRUSH. I USE THIS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HEARTS ARE HARD. EVEN THE USA COURT HAVE MERCY. SOMETIME WE FORGET ALL OUR MISTAKES AND FOCUS ON THE MISTAKES OF OTHERS.
FACT: NOT ALL TRAFFIC CITATIONS ARE PUBLISHED IN THE
NEWSPAPER….SHE KNOW SHE WAS WRONG….US COURT
SYSTEM EVEN HAS MERCY….
EVERYDAY WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, AND WE CHANGE.
ALL I AM SAYING IS, WHEN A PERSON IS DOWN DO WE HAVE
TO CRUSH THEM DOWN MORE, REALLY. A PERSON WITH A
HARD HEART THIS IS WHAT THEY DO…AND I DON’T BELIEVE
ANYONE IS LIKE THAT.. SOME HAVE JUST BEEN CONDITION TO
NOT SHOW MERCY……
WE ARE NOT PERFECT. CRUSH IS THE WORD I USE
BECAUSE WHEN A PERSON IS SAD OR DOWN BECAUSE OF
THEIR ERRORS, I ALWAYS ASK MYSELF WHAT WOULD
JESUS SAY TO THEM….WHAT DID HE TELL THE THIEF
NEXT TO HIM, I FORGIVE YOU….AND BLESSED HIM.
YES VEHEMENCE IS BAFFLING, BUT LOVE IS NOT.
I have had access to government vehicles for my use in previous jobs. I decided to bare the cost and use my own vehicle. Need a quart of milk and stop at a market on the way home – reasonable enough, yes? Not a chance. Such maneuvers can be twisted and morphed into something akin to an assasination attempt by those at work you have disciplined, those with an axe to grind, or POS media outlets not at all unlike this one.
If Sablan has half a brain (she does), she’ll lose that vehicle like bad frigg’n cold. If you are in a controversial position, government vehicles are a liability – period.
Quite easliy the officer could have pulled over the vehicle for a Traffic violation. “Mrs, you failed to come to a complete stop. May I see your drivers license, registration and proof of insurance”
This request would have exposed that the vehicle was a goverment car and the plates did not match the registration or VIN
Where is the followup? What happened in court? Did she appear? With a private lawyer or attempt to use PSS counsel (ala Buckingham) as one commenter suggested?
Shoddy to report the citations and not followup.