Despite a ban on official travels, the CNMI government had spent $3,096.25 to bring from the U.S. mainland into Saipan a “potential applicant” for interview to the post of chief of investigation at the Office of Attorney General.<\/p>\n
A travel authorization (TA) document revealed that Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio had signed the paper based on a request from acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara.<\/p>\n
The governor confirmed the authorization was granted on AG’s recommendation, but said he did not know the all-expense paid trip was provided to a person seeking a government job on the island.<\/p>\n
“I don’t know if it’s an applicant,” Tenorio said in an interview. “I’m sure the Attorney General has a reason for that and of course I don’t want to deny that I signed the TA.”<\/p>\n
The applicant, Joseph H. Race, flew in from Seattle, Washington on November 13 and stayed here until November 20, according to the document obtained by Saipan Tribune.<\/p>\n
Race was listed as “potential applicant” to be interviewed for the investigation chief post. “Travel performed in the interest of the CNMI government,” the TA showed.<\/p>\n
Under the estimated cost of the trip, the government spent $1,821.50 for his roundtrip ticket, $350 for car rental during his five-day stay on Saipan and $924.74 for his per diem allowance.<\/p>\n
The amount, which totalled about $3,096.25, was charged against government account number 118762500, the document showed.<\/p>\n
When asked if he considered the action wrong at this time of budgetary crisis, Tenorio said: “I haven’t reviewed the reason why (AG spent for an applicant). I have confidence that the Attorney General reviewed it and when they submit the information, I expect them to review it.”<\/p>\n
The governor has implemented wide-ranging austerity measures, including travel restriction and freeze on government hiring as well as cutback on overtime pay, to save funds amid the deepening financial crisis of the commonwealth.<\/p>\n
Revenue collections for next year are expected to drop by 13.4 percent to about $216 million due to closure of nearly 1,000 businesses and double-digit decline in tourist arrivals in the last few months, according to finance officials.<\/p>\n
The Northern Marianas is reeling from its worst economic crisis in years spawned by the prolonged financial turmoil in Asia, its main source of investments and tourism income.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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