Apatang fires back at mayor over DPS controversy
Gov. David M. Apatang brushed aside criticism from Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB”Camacho over the reinstatement of Department of Public Safety Commissioner Anthony Macaranas, telling the mayor to “leave me alone and let me do my job” and to focus instead on cleaning up the island.
Asked during a press conference last June 18 on the Disaster NAP about concerns raised by Camacho and members of the Senate regarding Macaranas’ authority to serve as DPS commissioner, Apatang responded sharply.
“I have no idea why the mayor is involved in that. He should go out and clean the damn island. That's his job,” Apatang said. He added that the matter has already been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for review. “You tell the mayor to start doing his job. Leave me alone and let me do my job.”
The exchange stems from a June 17 letter in which Camacho asked Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan to issue a formal legal opinion on whether Macaranas’ reinstatement complied with the NMI Constitution and local law.
In the letter, Camacho questioned whether acting governor Dennis C. Mendiola’s termination of Macaranas while Apatang was off-island was legally effective and whether Apatang’s subsequent rescission of that action amounted to a new appointment requiring Senate advice and consent. Camacho also asked whether statutory deadlines for submitting appointments to the Senate may have been missed, potentially affecting the validity of the position.
Camacho argued that uncertainty over the commissioner’s legal status could undermine leadership, morale, and the chain of command within DPS and ultimately affect public safety.
The issue has also drawn scrutiny from the Legislature s Senate President Karl R. King-Nabors separately requested that the attorney general review the legal basis for Macaranas’ reinstatement, raising concerns about whether bypassing Senate confirmation requirements complies with the law.
The Office of the Attorney General has not yet publicly issued an opinion on the matter.
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