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New alternate hearing officer for Atalig case named
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Posted on Jan 30 2012
By Moneth Deposa
Reporter
Reporter
The NMI Retirement Fund board has appointed attorney Bruce Berline as its alternate hearing officer who will specifically handle the case of retiree Felipe Q. Atalig who wants the board to reverse an earlier decision not to allow him to stay with the defined benefit plan.
According to board chair Sixto K. Igisomar, Berline’s selection was reached after the Fund’s permanent administrative hearing officer, Maya Kara, recused herself, citing conflict of interest. Edward Manibusan was then appointed to handle the case but he also withdrew due to conflict of interest.
Atalig recently appealed to the board for the immediate appointment of a new hearing officer for the speedy processing of his case.
It was learned that Atalig had appealed to reverse Fund administrator Richard Villagomez’s decision not to allow him to remain in the defined benefit plan as he had already terminated his membership with the plan. Atalig believes this decision is improper and unlawful. He is represented in the case by lawyer Ramon K. Quichocho.
Igisomar told Saipan Tribune that Berline’s payment will not exceed $15,000. This, he said, is the same amount allocated for Kara.
Kara will continue to handle other appeals, new and pending, Igisomar said.
Atalig argues that beginning June 16, 2006 when Public Law 15-13 was enacted, class I members who withdrew their contributions and are subsequently reemployed by the Commonwealth government are enrolled in the defined contribution plan.
Atalig, who was terminated in his previous work at a government agency, was later reinstated. He believes that he did not terminate his government service and should remain in the DB plan.
