Guam - Senator Adolpho Palacios has now introduced legislation which would require the Guam Election Commission to verify the existence or non-existence of a criminal record of anyone seeking public office. As we reported, the measure would make amendments to the current law requiring that the GEC verify criminal records with the National Crime Information Center of the Federal Bureau of Investigation directly, or through the Guam Police Department.

Bill 296 also states that the GEC shall not certify the qualifications of any person vying for a public office unless the commission has first determined that the individual is fully qualified to be a candidate.

Palacios' bill surrounds several investigations regarding Senator Matt Rector's 1983 burglary conviction, which Rector only admitted after KUAM broke the news last month.