By Troy Torres
(Tumon, Guam) Senator Paul Manglona (I-Rota) called upon the full Senate of the 21st Commonwealth Legislature to join the House of Representatives in an impending investigation into public corruption by Gov. Ralph Torres.
The political momentum to investigate the governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is gaining steam. The investigation, historically and in whispers among members of both the independent minority party and the Republican majority in both houses of the Legislature, widely is seen as the first step toward the impeachment, then removal of the governor.
The final portion of his remarks on the Senate floor, where he raises this issue, is transcribed below:
"Last week our colleagues in the House of Representatives spent a great deal of time in the two legislative sessions discussing the recent FBI raids in the CNMI, and alleged fraud and abuses in the expenditure of public funds. As a result, Speaker BJ Attao has tasked two of his House standing committees to look into this matter. Further, I have here a copy of the House Minority letter to the Speaker, and the OGA letter to the Department of Finance for the Senate Clerk so that these letters may be admitted as part of the Senate's records. Similarly, Mr. President and members, I respectfully ask that the Senate work jointly and in coordination with the House of Representatives in carrying out these legislative inquiries. I know I am only a minority member and who am I to make such a request; however I am sure that our House counterparts just as here in this Chamber are all being pressured by members of the public to do something about these alleged violations of government funds and public trust. Joining the House in this investigation will only result in improved government transparency and better public confidence in our Legislative process. Dankolu na si Yu'us ma'ase, and thank you for your indulgence. Thank you, Mr. President."
