Political appointees directed to tender resignations by Monday

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — All political appointees — including directors — within the Executive Branch have been informed to tender their resignation by next week Monday, as the Lolo Administration prepares to exit the helm of government after eight years.

In a Dec. 21st memo, the Governor’s Chief of Staff Fiu J. Saelua reminded ASG directors and heads of agencies that in compliance with the American Samoa Government’s “Political Appointee’s Employment at Will Contract”, all political appointees will need to tender their resignation before the end of the year.

Fiu gave the deadline of Dec. 28 for executive branch directors and all other political appointees to submit their resignations. And the effective date for everyone’s resignation is 12noon on Jan. 3, 2021, he said.

The new administration of governor-elect, Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga and lieutenant governor-elect, Talauega Eleasalo Va’alele Ale, will take the oath of office before 12noon on Jan. 3, 2021 during a ceremony at the Fagatogo Pavilion.

In his memo, Fiu asked directors to ensure that all political appointed employees in departments and agencies are notified of this. “Also, please be sure that correct leave time is accurately reported on each political [appointee] employee’s time cards and records, to provide proper exit transition,” Fiu reminded directors and head of agencies.

As previously reported by Samoa News, the governor’s fiscal year 2021 budget includes $1 million for “political appointee payments” under the Governor’s Special Program budget. The governor had informed lawmakers that this allocation will help defray the separating payout costs for leave and other benefits.

A similar payment amount was budgeted for political appointees for the last year of the Togiola Administration eight-years ago. Political appointees include executive branch cabinet members.

The FY 2021 budget, however, has yet to be officially approved by the Fono over disagreements on budget allocations between the Administration and lawmakers. Funding for ASG operations are currently being carried out through the governor’s executive order, which expires Dec. 30th.

ASG officials say the governor is expected to extend that executive order into January for the new incoming Administration as well as the new 37th Legislature, which officially opens on Jan. 11, 2021.

Lawmakers for the 37th Legislature, will be sworn into office — also — before 12noon on Jan, 3, 2021 in their respective chambers.