By Troy Torres
Gov. Ralph Torres's senior policy advisor, Robert Hunter, has been adamant that cabinet secretaries and directors of the Torres administration have not been paid overtime at a rate of double pay since the start of the pandemic, though the overtime has been accrued.
Of course, he has made these statements only when confronted with evidence of the accrual of the overtime, and after making statements defending Torres administration cronies for giving a 'labor of love' during the public health so-called crisis.
In an exchange with Saipan Rep. Ed Propst, Mr. Hunter was asked how much he has been paid in overtime. Mr. Hunter did not deny having received payment, and instead refused to answer the question.
Thus, Kandit has sent Open Government Act requests for information to Secretary of Finance David Atalig, Jr., and acting director of the Office of Personnel Management Frances T. Salas.
We have asked for:
All requests and authorization for overtime for all cabinet Secretaries and cabinet directors of the Torres administration, and for the governor, the lieutenant governor, the chief of staff to the governor, the senior policy advisor to the governor, and the public information officer to the governor for the period between March 12, 2020 and the present time.
Copies of the pay stubs, or similar document showing the rate of pay and total amount paid each pay period between March 12, 2020 and the present time for all cabinet Secretaries and cabinet directors of the Torres administration, and for the governor, the lieutenant governor, the chief of staff to the governor, the senior policy advisor to the governor, and the public information officer.
All requests from senators and representatives of the House of the CNMI Legislature for monthly allowances since January 2020.
We await the disclosure of these documents.
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