Gov suspends testimony in House hearings until "problem" resolved

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — In an Apr. 06 memorandum, Gov. Lemanu P. S. Mauga suspended cabinet members and Executive Branch employees from testifying before the House of Representatives hearings, but gave no explanation as to the reason for such an action.

However, after media queries over the weekend to the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Loa Tauapai Laupola, for an explanation, on Apr. 09 an email to media was released around 9p.m., with an explanation of the suspension.

The governor wrote in his Apr. 06 memo to cabinet members, “At this time, all testimony by Directors, Agency Heads, and Executive Branch Employees in House of Representative hearings is suspended.

“Those who receive Notices from the House to appear for a hearing are instructed not to attend,” he said. “Further guidance and instruction on when witness appearances are to resume will be forthcoming as necessary. Please direct any questions or inquiries to the Governor's Office.”

The House had scheduled two committee hearings last Thursday but those ended up being canceled.

Two faipule reached by phone later Thursday morning said they were informed that morning of the cancellation of hearings due to no ASG witnesses, but no explanation was given as to why the witnesses didn’t show up.

The Apr. 09 explanation from Loa says that “Governor Lemanu issued General Memorandum No: 072-23 to temporarily suspend Director and Agency Head participation in Fono Hearings as concerns have arisen that some line of questioning may have exceeded the scope of the topic being investigated during hearings.”

It notes that “questions of a personal nature may be inappropriate under current federal and local laws and regulations.

“Territory leadership is working together to provide solutions that will ensure all employees in our charge are granted an environment conducive for professional discourse and consensus,” the explanation concludes.

There was no specific example(s) given in Loa’s response that highlighted hearing participation by government employees being problematic.