Senate confirms DOC appointee

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — "Treat your staff members with love and compassion. Exercise patience and thoughtfulness in your decision-making, always seeking God's peace and counsel, especially when addressing important issues that may have significant impacts on your staff and the public."

These were the wise words of advice from several senators, directed at the governor's nominee for the position of Director of Commerce, Magdeline Pepe Petaia, during her confirmation hearing yesterday morning chaired by Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono, Chairman of the Government Operations Committee.

The advice stemmed from the widely publicized action by Petaia last month, where she terminated the services of two assistant directors just days after being appointed acting director by Governor Pula’ali’i N. Pula.

Senator Muagututi'a Tauoa began deliberations by emphasizing that Petaia is one of the sons and daughters of American Samoa who has returned to serve the Territory. He praised her academic accomplishments and extensive experience from her many years of government service, highlighting her as the ideal candidate to lead the Department of Commerce (DOC).

Muagututi'a further emphasized the importance of the younger generation of leaders stepping up to take on leadership roles within the government, identifying Petaia as a prime example. He urged the senators to approve her nomination.

In addressing her decision to terminate the two assistant directors, Muagututi'a quoted Jesus' response to Peter, who had asked how many times one should forgive a brother who sins against him.

"Peter asked Jesus if forgiving seven times was appropriate, and Jesus responded, 'not seven times, but seventy times seven,'" Muagututi'a quoted. "What does that mean? It means let us not be on the lookout for shortcomings but to always do things with a clean heart."

He then moved to excuse the director nominee and confirm her appointment.

The motion was seconded by Senator Noa F. Vae, who highlighted that the dream shared by the leaders of the Territory, of a time when the reins of government would be taken by younger generations, is becoming a reality with the governor's current nominations.

Noa mentioned that he has known Petaia for a long time as a respectful person with love and dignity. Like Muagututi'a, he also urged the senators to approve her nomination and offered his blessings for her future role.

Committee Chairman Senator Togiola was about to conclude the hearing when it seemed no other senator wished to speak. However, Fofo Senator Olo Uluao Letuli raised his hand.

Olo mentioned that he had attended the hearing with the intention of not speaking. However, he felt it was his duty to address the issue of the dismissed DOC assistant directors, as many constituents had contacted him, requesting that he bring the matter to the Senate.

He then directly asked Petaia if the two employees in question had been reinstated. The director nominee responded affirmatively.

Olo did not question the reasons behind the dismissal but highlighted that the two employees were related to some of the senators and had served the government faithfully for many years. He argued that they deserved due process. The Fofo senator emphasized that there is no question about Petaia's credentials and experience to lead the department. However, he stressed that she must lead with love and compassion.

Senator Magalei Logovii expressed his concerns regarding the controversy, noting that one of the affected employees was from his village of Fitiuta.

He voiced his dissatisfaction with the situation, recalling that the Senate president had specifically requested acting directors, during the official opening of the 39th Legislature, to refrain from making any personnel changes until they were confirmed.

Magalei then took it a step further, asking Petaia if there was a specific reason for taking action against the employees when she had not yet been confirmed.

Petaia clarified that no one had been fired. She explained that certain conditions in their contractual and employment status had not been clear, but she emphasized that they had not been terminated.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean concluded the hearing by explaining that the director nominee was a close relative whom he considers as one of his own children. He shared that he had scolded her when the matter under discussion first surfaced, and she had explained her side of the story, which she reiterated in the Senate.

During the regular session that followed, Magdeline Pepe Petaia was confirmed as the DOC Director with a 12- 4 vote.

Two additional confirmation hearings took place yesterday morning for the governor's nominations of Kenneth Kuaea for Procurement Director and Gwen Langkilde for Attorney General.

Kuaea's confirmation hearing was postponed pending the submission of documents requested by the Senate. Documents involve a company that Kuaea owns that owes money to outside companies. There were also questions about the lawsuit against the government (ASG) that one of Kuaea’s companies has filed, which he said was still pending in court.

In contrast, Langkilde's confirmation hearing was conducted after yesterday's regular session with no questions posed by senators for the nominee. Her nomination will be voted upon in today's session.