‘Transparency is the issue’

Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios is disappointed, but not surprised, by the recent revelation that Senate impeachment hearing officer and Tinian Sen. Karl K. Nabors (R-Tinian) sought advice from Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ attorney, Viola Alepuyo, as he and Executive Appointments & Government Investigations chair Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian) developed rules for the governor’s impeachment trial.

On Friday, Sen. Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) questioned the propriety of having the impeached official’s lawyer providing advice to the Senate on the rules for the upcoming impeachment trial.

“Had it not been for the courage of the individual or individuals who saw this misdeed, and advised accordingly, we would never know the extent of the impropriety conducted by the Senate Committees, its attorney and Gov. Torres,” said Palacios.

Palacios

In response to Manglona’s letter, King-Nabors admitted that he sought Alepuyo’s advice as she is a close family friend who usually provides him with counsel. Nabors further pointed out that Alepuyo was not Torres’ attorney at the time he sought her advice. Attorney Joe McDoullet was already the special counsel for impeachment at the time King- Nabors presented Alepuyo with the draft rules and sought her advice.

“Sen. Nabors misses the point of having an open government law. It is to allow all interested parties an opportunity to provide input on legislative rules, bills, and reports. He did not do that here. Instead, he gave the advantage to Gov. Torres,” said Palacios.

Alepuyo is chairs the Marianas Visitor’s Authority board and represented several members of Torres’ administration before the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee. Alepuyo is also one of several legal counsels for Torres at the impeachment trial.

“The fact that Ms. Alepuyo represents Governor Torres’ administration alone, should have been enough warning that any communication with her about the impeachment rules was improper, let alone the fact that the issue of impeachment and transparency are hot topics in our community. Transparency is the issue,” Palacios said.

Earlier this month the Senate abruptly adjourned its first session on Impeachment Rules after Manglona and Sen. Victor Hocog (R-Rota) argued over the limiting of public comments at the session. A review of the Senate YouTube Channel showed Senate president Jude Hofschneider interrupting the speakers as they were commenting on the Impeachment Rules. King-Nabors, who was present at the session, did not disclose that he already provided the draft rules to Alepuyo.

“To say that Attorney Alepuyo was involved in the drafting of the rules was an oversight is immaterial. This calls into question the integrity of the entire pre-impeachment trial and impeachment trial process. I challenge the Senate to heed to the governor’s call for a ‘fair and impartial trial.’ I would only ask the senators to put the integrity of our institutions and the interests of our people first,” Governor said. (PR)