The Chamorro Land Trust Commission is following the Governor’s “recommendation” for a temporary halt on the issuance of Chamorro Land Trust leases.

Governor Eddie Calvo called for the stoppage on CLTC leases so the CLTC can address issues in a legal opinion from the Attorney General.

The legal opinion handed down by AG Elizabeth Barrett Anderson categorized nearly a quarter of the leases granted for the CLTC’s prime Barrigada Heights property “null and void” and “voidable but not void” - an issue the CLTC board will address at Thursday’s board meeting, according to Governor’s special assistant Vince Leon Guerrero.

The “administrative practice” of allowing applicants to switch places in line was also called into question by the AG, and she said leases awarded in that fashion - as well as applications or leases that were inherited while the original applicant was still living - should be deemed “null and void”.

The opinion opens the door for the CLTC board to scrutinize hundreds of leases awarded in other areas of the island to see if they were also awarded by switching places in line or without the CLTC board’s approval.

The AG’s review of CLTC leases is ongoing.

While the Governor called for a moratorium on CLTC lease awarding, a bill by Democrat Senator Frank Aguon also called for a moratorium - while rules and regulations for Chamorro Land Trust lands are developed.

Aguon, in a press release today, said the Governor “lacks the authority” to declare a moratorium and said his bill would grant the authority needed by Governor Calvo to “reform” the CLTC.