by Mindy Aguon

Guam - Superior Court Judge Arthur Barcinas will decide whether fellow judge Vern Perez should be disqualified from presiding over Agat Housing's civil suit against the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority. Agat Housing alleges Judge Perez has a direct conflict because his sister works at the Lujan, Aguigui and Perez law firm, which represents GHURA.

Attorney Jacqueline Taitano Terlaje argued the firm's owner, Attorney David Lujan, stands to benefit from GHURA's decision to award tax credits to Ironwood Guam II, LLC, as the company purchased property from the lawyer to build affordable homes. Ghura attorney Anthony Perez argued there was no reason for Judge Perez's recusal since his sister, Rebecca Santo Tomas, was screened-off from having anything to do with the case and has no participation in this matter involving the agency.

Agat Housing alleges GHURA erroneously awarded more than $2 million in tax credits to Ironwood Guam II and has asked a judge to review the matter.